VPK Packaging taps Martin Taylor as UK & Ireland MD to lead multi-site corrugated operations

UK – VPK Packaging UK & Ireland has appointed Martin Taylor as managing director, bringing more than 25 years of senior leadership experience across food, fresh produce, dairy, and packaging sectors to oversee the company’s multi-site corrugated operations across the region.

Taylor’s appointment reflects the strategic importance of the UK and Ireland market to the VPK Group, which operates multiple sites serving customers across FMCG, beverage, retail, and e-commerce sectors through locally produced corrugated packaging.

His background spans multi-site operations, manufacturing leadership, and business transformation, experience aligned with VPK’s ambitions to strengthen its position in one of Europe’s largest packaging markets.

Strategic Leadership for a Key Region

Patrick Leclercq, divisional CEO corrugated board at VPK Group, described Taylor as a highly experienced leader with a deep understanding of manufacturing, operations, and customer-focused growth.

Leclercq noted that Taylor’s experience across food and packaging, combined with his people-first leadership style, makes him ideally placed to lead the UK and Ireland business into its next phase.

He added that the UK and Ireland is a strategically important region for VPK, and Taylor’s appointment reinforces the group’s commitment to investing locally and building strong, long-term partnerships with customers.

A Career at the Intersection of Food and Packaging

Taylor’s career spans senior roles across sectors where packaging performance directly impacts product quality and supply chain efficiency.

His experience in fresh produce, dairy, and FMCG sectors provides insight into the specific demands of customers who rely on corrugated packaging.

In the UK, the corrugated packaging market is valued at approximately £2.5 billion (approximately US$3.2 billion) annually, with demand driven by e-commerce growth and sustainability requirements.

VPK’s UK Footprint

VPK Packaging operates multiple facilities across the UK and Ireland, producing corrugated board and packaging solutions.

The company is part of the broader VPK Group, a European packaging leader with over 80 production sites across 15 countries and annual turnover exceeding €2 billion (approximately US$2.2 billion).

In recent years, VPK has invested significantly in UK operations, including expanded capacity at its Leeds facility and sustainability initiatives aimed at increasing recycled content.

Taylor is Ready!

Taylor expressed enthusiasm about building on the foundation already in place, working closely with teams across the UK and Ireland to support customers’ growth and ensure VPK continues to be a trusted partner for the long term.

As Extended Producer Responsibility fees take effect and the UK’s Plastic Packaging Tax evolves, packaging converters with strong operational leadership and local manufacturing capacity will be well-positioned to help customers navigate the transition toward more sustainable packaging systems.

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