The Story of Kendon Packaging Group PLC

Our Story

Kendon Packaging Group PLC is proud to be a family-run and family-owned business, founded in 1933 by my grandfather, Leslie Kendon. The company began as a supplier of Kraft paper, tissue paper, rope, and twines, establishing strong foundations in quality and service that continue to define us today.

As the business grew, my grandfather was joined by his two sons, Edwin and Alistair Kendon (my uncle and father). In time, my father eventually handed the day to day running of the business to myself, continuing a legacy that now spans three generations.

Our journey of growth gathered pace in the 1970s with the acquisition of several smaller companies, and accelerated further during the 1980s with the opening of new operating sites in Sheffield, Nottingham, and Yorkshire.

The 1990s marked a pivotal chapter in Kendon Packaging Group’s history with the acquisition of Ingham Paper and Packaging, renowned for producing the household-name food-grade packaging papers Multibake and Craftbake.

Already well-established within the packaging industry, we continued to expand our portfolio in the early 2000s through the acquisition of Manchester-based Harver Packaging and T.Y. Nuttall, both specialists in pure and recycled Kraft and tissue papers. These additions significantly strengthened our growing product range.

Product innovation has always been central to our strategy, and in 2005 we expanded into plastics with the acquisition of Nottingham-based Portland Polybags, enabling us to offer bespoke HDPE, LDPE, cotton, and non-woven polypropylene bags.

In May 2008, we relocated from Bow Paper Works in Stratford to a new purpose-built facility at Innova Business Park, Enfield, enhancing our operational capabilities and creating opportunities for further development. The following year, we expanded into the office and stationery sector with the acquisition of Flexocare, offering bespoke tapes, bubble film, tissue papers, and stationery packaging.

With continued ambition and momentum, we introduced No.1 Tapes, specialists in gaffer tape, printed tape, and the well-known brands Stikky Tape, Gladiator Tape, and BIG Tape. The later acquisition of Brandwoods, recognised for reinforced filament tape and LLDPE police tape, established Kendon Packaging Group as one of the market leaders in packaging tapes.

In 2019, we strengthened our position in the food-grade paper market with the acquisition of Hydon Paper, specialists in printed greaseproof, waxed, silicone, and recycled Kraft papers. We also acquired ACP’s Bakery Papers Division in Cheltenham, enabling us to move into a new purpose-built BRC Accredited A++ manufacturing site, supplying high-volume food-grade papers to leading supermarkets and bakeries.

Now in our 92^nd year, we are still firmly looking ahead, with sustainability at the heart of our future. We are committed to responsible sourcing, reducing environmental impact, and developing innovative packaging solutions that meet the ever-evolving needs of our customers. This commitment is reinforced by our expansion to a new 80,000 square foot modern warehouse and office facility in North Nottinghamshire – an investment that supports continued growth, enhances our operational capabilities, and provides a modern, forward-thinking working environment for our team. Together, these steps ensure Kendon Packaging Group remains a trusted packaging partner for generations to come.

Frazer Kendon, Director of Kendon Packaging Group