Giving Thanks for the last 40 years
Universal Filling Machine Company would like to take this opportunity to thank our clients for their custom, our suppliers for their support and our staff for their loyalty and dedication over the past 40 years.
Ashford Packaging Equipment Ltd (trading as Universal Filling Machine Company) was founded by Lawrie St. John, Roy Wilson, John Cooper & Bob Woodward in 1976. Having previously worked for other filling machine companies such as, Bancroft, Purdy & Gravfill, the founding Directors used their knowledge to develop a range of liquid filling machines that were flexible, simple to operate and above all built to last. Model names like the POSIFILL became so well known that not only is the name still used today but many people use the name Posifill to describe the type of machine.
The company was sold to the current owner Alastair Morrison in 1996 and whilst the machines may look a little bit different, Universals focus remains on manufacturing machines using the best quality materials and components and providing our clients with the highest levels of service and support. Repeat business from existing customers accounts for almost 70% of new machine sales every year which managing Director Mike Hollis says is down to forming long lasting relationships with customers and the only way to do that is to provide them with good quality, reliability and excellent service. Universal have survived and thrived during the ups and downs of the economy by being flexible and adaptable which has enabled the company to continue where some larger businesses within the packaging industry have failed.
Universal enjoy working in an industry where people are passionate about what they do, their drive to constantly move forward, developing new products and for continuous improvement means that we have to be up to date and current with the range of machines that we offer and as engineers this makes going to work every day a new challenge – we look forward to the future.
Last but by no means least – our staff – Universal are very fortunate that we have a dedicated and long serving team who’s knowledge is extremely valuable to both us as their employer and to our clients who value their expertise. Half of our workforce have been with us for more than 20 years and our longest serving member of staff Geoff Davies (Production Manager) has now been with us for 38 years. We would like to thank everyone past and present for all of their hard work and dedication.