We are proud of the fact that our business is built on more than the packaging solutions we design for brands across the UK. Colton Packaging and its team carries forward a legacy that dates back to 1670, although our core story stretches back over the previous 170 years.
Our journey began not in a warehouse, but in the flax fields of Rearsby. Let us take you on a voyage of discovery as we get to know five generations of our family-owned business.
The Colton legacy began in 1670 in the village of Rearsby, where our ancestors were flax dressers by trade. This early involvement in natural fibers laid the foundation for a future steeped in materials and manufacturing.
Fast forward to the 1850s, and William Colton inherited his aunt’s retail rope and sack business. It was a pivotal moment, marking the beginning of a family enterprise that would evolve with each generation.
By 1865, William had established the company’s first offices on Belgrave Gate in Leicester. Just a few years later, in 1871, the business expanded further with the construction of ropewalk and a number of town houses on Crafton Street.
When William passed away in 1906, his wife Caroline Colton took the reins, a remarkable achievement in an era when female leadership in business was far from the norm. Between 1918 and 1922, her sons William, Edmund, and the youngest, John, became business partners, starting a new era of family leadership.
Like many businesses, Colton Packaging was impacted by World War II. The war brought the cessation of twine manufacturing and by 1958, the company had evolved from manufacturing to distribution. The focus turned to supplying wrapping papers, parcelling twines and pattern papers, mainly to the thriving textile industry. This same year, corrugated boxes were added to our expanding product line.
In 1962, John Colton’s son, also named John and a civil engineer by trade, took the helm following his father’s retirement.
A new chapter began in 1987 when great-grandson Jonathan Colton became managing partner. That same year, Colton Packaging returned to its manufacturing roots, taking on the production of corrugated boxes.
The company’s reach expanded geographically in 1995 with the acquisition of the Teesside branch from Contact Packaging before in 2003, the next generation joined the family business as Laura Colton came on board.
In 2008, the partnership merged with the Teesside company, solidifying a stronger, unified business structure.
In 2010, the Teesside branch moved into a new warehouse in Thornaby, but by 2016, the strategic decision was made to sell the branch and refocus operations on the East Midlands. That same year, the acquisition of Case & Container Supply Company Limited bolstered our offering and market position.
Laura continued to progress through the business before her husband, Duncan, joined the company in 2019 – once again demonstrating our overarching commitment to family values. In 2021, Colton Packaging took a significant leap forward, moving into a newly refurbished 55,000 sq ft facility in Loughborough. That same year also marked a leadership transition, with Laura taking on the role of Managing Director following her father Jonathan’s semi-retirement.
In 2023, our Loughborough head office received significant investment with the construction of two purpose-built warehouses, increasing our total capacity to 66,000 sq ft and ensuring we remain equipped to meet growing customer demand, with a strong emphasis on efficiency and excellence.
Looking Ahead
Today, Colton Packaging remains firmly rooted in its values of adaptability, family, and innovation. With decades of heritage, five generations of knowledge and a firm focus on the future, we continue to lead with purpose–ensuring that our customers receive packaging solutions built on experience, trust and a commitment to quality.
Do you want to partner with a family-owned packaging business built on centuries of expertise? Get in touch with our team to discuss your next project.
