Packaging manufacturer embarks on software overhaul
Cumberland Packaging Ltd, a long-established British producer of corrugated and solid board packaging, has chosen Amtech Software’s Encore ERP platform to run its core operations, in a move aimed at tightening control of production, inventory and logistics.
The firm, headquartered in Southend-on-Sea, is described by the companies as among the UK’s leading independent corrugated sheet plants. While not based in Cumberland, the business serves customers across wide areas of the country, meaning the upgrade could have practical implications for buyers who rely on consistent lead times and dependable deliveries.
What is changing and why it matters
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems knit together data and processes from the factory floor through to dispatch and customer service. For a packaging manufacturer, that typically means real-time oversight of paper and board stocks, machine schedules, order progress, quality checks and vehicle loading. By standardising those processes on a single, purpose-built system, manufacturers often seek to reduce downtime, cut waste and improve on-time delivery performance.
Amtech, which provides software for the labels and packaging sector, said the adoption of Encore will give Cumberland Packaging end-to-end visibility of its operations. That end-to-end view can help address bottlenecks and provide more accurate information to customers, particularly where order volumes spike, product specifications vary, or deliveries are spread across multiple sites.
“We evaluated a number of solutions before choosing Encore,” said John Watson, owner and managing director, Cumberland Packaging. “Amtech’s deep understanding of the packaging industry, combined with Encore’s purpose-built functionality, gave us confidence that this was the right platform to support our growth. We’re excited to modernise how we run the business and give our team the tools they need to serve our customers even better.”
Amtech described the agreement as part of its expansion in the UK packaging market, building on its existing customer base among label plants. The company’s chief executive, Chuck Schneider, said the partnership aligns with its focus on manufacturers looking to scale efficiently.
“Cumberland Packaging is exactly the kind of forward-thinking, high-quality manufacturer we love partnering with,” said Chuck Schneider, CEO of Amtech Software. “This partnership is particularly meaningful for Amtech. It opens the door to the UKI packaging market where we already have a strong foothold in labels. We look forward to supporting Cumberland Packaging as they continue to grow and to building on this momentum across the region.”
Potential local implications
For businesses in and around Cumberland that buy corrugated cases, solid board fitments, polystyrene inserts or ancillary packaging, the outcome to watch is operational reliability: fewer late deliveries, clearer order tracking and quicker responses to specification changes. While neither company has disclosed implementation timelines or specific performance targets, the stated aim of tighter control from order to dispatch should, if achieved, translate into greater predictability in supply chains.
Manufacturers and distributors locally often juggle seasonality, bespoke pack designs and cost pressures from raw materials. An ERP designed for the sector may allow a supplier to balance these factors more effectively by linking sales forecasts to material purchasing and machine planning, increasing the chance of hitting promised delivery slots.
Who’s involved
| Organisation | Role in project |
|---|---|
| Cumberland Packaging Ltd | UK producer of corrugated and solid board packaging adopting Encore ERP |
| Amtech Software | Supplier of the Encore ERP platform to manage production, inventory and delivery |
What customers can expect
- Greater transparency: Centralised data on orders, stock levels and production status should make communication clearer.
- Operational efficiency: Purpose-built tools may reduce delays and rework, supporting more consistent lead times.
- Scalability: As demand fluctuates, an integrated system can help allocate resources and plan capacity more effectively.
The companies have not disclosed financial details of the deal or a go-live date. They also have not specified which sites or product lines will see the earliest changes. However, with over four decades of manufacturing experience and a broad UK customer footprint, Cumberland Packaging’s decision signals continuing investment in digital systems across the packaging industry, a trend that has accelerated as producers seek to maintain service levels while managing costs.
For local buyers, the practical test will come in the form of consistent fulfilment and clear order updates. If the roll-out delivers as planned, the benefits will be felt less in headlines and more at the loading bay—accurate picks, lorries departing on time, and fewer last-minute surprises.
