Two Sides Insight – Interview With Robert Davison, Chairman of The Alexir Partnership

Biography and Introduction

Ian Bates, Marketing and Partnership Director for Two Sides interviewed Robert Davison, Chairman of The Alexir Partnership, in the latest Insight interview.

“I’d like to introduce you to our guest, Robert Davison, Chairman of The Alexir Partnership.

Robert started Alexir Packaging Ltd in 1989 following a 10 year stint as Sales Director at Crescens Robinson & Co Ltd where his father was Managing Director before retirement. Robert held a variety of roles from sales to technical management in the plastics division of Metal Box during his 10 years with them.

Robert was a long standing member of the Inst. of Packaging & the Institute of Marketing. He is still President of BPIF Cartons & was Chairman of the ECMA SME group & was also Chairman of the UK arm of Pro Carton.

As Chair of BPIF Cartons he lead & introduced specific carton training sessions, an e-learning carton specific website & organised annual, very successful & well attended events for members.

With a passion for the packaging industry and in particular for products made from renewable materials, Roberts lead at Alexir has inspired the innovation in pack design and materials that Alexir is well known for.

The Alexir Partnership with a turnover of over £32 million, covers carton manufacture, packaging sourcing, contract manufacturing & co packing & under Alexir Brands the supply of food gift hampers & seasonal gift packs.

Robert is now Chairman of The Alexir Partnership & semi-retired after completing an EOT of Alexir, but is still passionate about the benefits of cartonboard & the success of Alexir.”

Questions Asked:

1. You founded Alexir Packaging 35 years ago. No doubt you’ve witnessed many changes driven by technological advances in design and manufacturing. What have been the most significant and how have you been able to adapt and thrive?
2. Globally we’re seeing brands transition away from single-use plastic to fibre alternatives. This is particularly evident within food sector, where you’re particularly focused, developing ground-breaking solutions. Which innovations have been the most significant and what can we expect to see in the future that might surprise people of what’s now possible?
3. We know from research that people prefer carton board packaging to many other material options due to it being a natural, renewable and sustainable choice with unmatched, high recycling rates of 83% in Europe. That said, people are concerned about the health of our forests and particularly deforestation in some parts of the world. How do you reassure customers and the public that demand will never outstrip supply whilst at the same time every consideration is being made to maintain and improve biodiversity and a respect for all environmental and social impacts?
4. We often read ‘save paper, save trees, save the planet’. What’s your response to this and how does the carton packaging industry correct this misinformation in an effective way?

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