Business Evolution

Rieke Packaging Systems in Leicester specialises in the design, development and manufacture of dispensers. 2009 was the company's most successful year yet as sales rose by 36% and net profit increased. The company won the East Midlands Growth Readiness Award supported by emda.

Rieke Packaging Systems in Leicester was started as the English Glass company in 1934 by the founder of the John Bull Rubber Company to provide security of supply for the glass parts used in John Bull's products. In 1966 the first dispensers were manufactured under the Englass name, and the business prospered before becoming part of the Rieke organisation of Indiana, US in 1996.

Since those small beginnings Rieke has built a worldwide reputation by continuing to innovate and set new standards for the packaging industry with its range of closures and dispensers.

Sustaining growth

Sarah Coleman of Business Evolution was recommended to Rieke as a High Growth Business Coach who could help Rieke to sustain the level of growth it had enjoyed in recent years. Sarah worked with Rieke on innovation, channels to market and the integration of project management into established working practices, especially in the area of new product development.

Award winner

Since working with Sarah Rieke has developed the capability of the wider management team. Managers are now taking direct responsibility for ensuring that the business continues on its growth path and a number of new systems and processes have been introduced which allow Rieke to handle more and more complex projects.

Rieke Packaging Systems won the prestigious High Growth East Midlands Business of the Year Award in 2010 and is on target to achieve its goal of becoming a £30 million turnover business by 2012.

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