1. Network 2 Experience of SMEexcel
Bill Dickie – Houston Co-pack Ltd
13th October 2005

2. Houston Co-pack Background
Co-packing for the major Scotch Whisky producers
85 permanent employees rising to 150 during August/December
Annual sales £2.5m
Market niche characterised by a number of SMEs servicing 5 very large customers
Service based on price, quality and responsiveness

3. Attraction
Approached 2 other SMEs providing similar services to similar customers
Good personal relationships with owners
Drampac Ltd
Craigton Packaging Ltd

4. Attraction Drampac Ltd Annual sales £3.6m 90 employees
Provide sub-assemblies for major producers bottling lines
3 plants based close to customer bottling plants
Very profitable

5. Attraction Craigton Packaging Ltd Annual sales £1m 30 employees
Provide small batch specialist bottling for a variety of small customers
2 plants
Moderately profitable

6. Outcome Drampac declined participation Craigton will participate
Reasons:
What’s in it for us?
Resource constraints
Move to Identification Stage in November
Keep Drampac informed of progress