Local MP Tom Pursglove Visits Amaray to Discuss the Transformation of a Fantastic Business

The phrase ‘injection moulding’ isn’t a familiar term in daily life, but within manufacturing it is recognised as a significant and important process to generate every day plastic products and packaging.

Amaray, based in Corby for over forty years have been using the art of plastic injection moulding to manufacture components and packaging within multiple consumer markets. Amaray are market leaders within media packaging having been the creator and manufacturer of the globally recognised DVD and Blu-ray case.

Amaray produce over 450 million cases for the home entertainment market supplying to all major studios around Europe, US and beyond – A truly global business based locally here in Corby. When it comes to high volume, highly automated, highly efficient manufacturing Amaray excel in every area. They have now also begun a diversification journey entering new markets, with a clear focus to create new packaging concepts that satisfy the demands of consumers.

Amaray invited the new local MP Tom Pursglove to visit their facility on the Willowbrook Estate to discuss the challenges local businesses encounter within the manufacturing environment and how Amaray are transforming a fantastic business on its drive to develop & diversify.

Training and recruitment was discussed and with the amount of individuals pursuing technical careers being in decline, the recruitment of new employees with the right experience was a key concern raised by Amaray. In the past Amaray, with many other similar businesses have utilised Government funded educational courses to support and upgrade existing employee skill sets. However, the amount of funding received is guided by employee age so long-term employees with over 25 years tenure find their funding restricted in favour of the absent young. Now, with a full succession plan underway Amaray have found success in recruiting new apprenticeships for their technical department from local colleges. Jamie Tinsley, Managing Director at Amaray Europe stated “It’s great to see new apprenticeships being created and to see young hungry students wanting to pursue a career in manufacturing, but we also have team members who have been with the business for 25 years+ who are equally dedicated and hungry to learn so any funding to train and develop our staff is paramount to long term success – The Government should focus more in this area and Tom has agreed to help us on this quest”

Other challenges discussed centred on the business community surrounding Corby and the requirement for local companies to be able to network and create relationships to support the local economy. Jamie Tinsley suggested “Developing a local areas network for business to share in the successes co-ordinated purchasing, locally supported training programs or requesting new and creative investment into the Corby area would be a great initiative”

Moving forward, Amaray continue to redesign and explode their brand and product offering via a unique approach to ‘Make Good Things, Better’. Their promise however, is not limited to just business specific opportunities, Amaray are also keen to be part of the local community. Looking to support local people and local charities. With this in mind Amaray having recently agreed to sponsor Corby Town FC who have a fantastic approach to community support projects, recruitment and young people development. Amaray are also the main sponsor of the Corby Sports Awards in October to celebrate the success of sports people in the community. In addition, Amaray employees have just completed a sponsored walk, run, and ride event sponsoring their employees to run, cycle or walk a five mile circuit around the local countryside with a view to raise money for the Lakelands Hospice. 

Mr Pursglove concluded, ‘It was a real pleasure to visit Amaray in Corby – this innovative business has gone from strength to strength in the last few months. In particular, I was fascinated to learn that the DVD case was not only designed, but also first produced, in the Town, by Amaray - a true Corby product which is exported and available in countries around the world! It was also great to see the factory in action and to talk about how I can support this important local employer, going forward.’

For more information on Amaray, opportunities with the business, your innovation needs and/or your business requirements for high volume, highly automated, highly efficient plastic injection moulded packaging please call Neil Pentecost on 01536 274836 or email [email protected].