Based at the company’s Coalville, Leicestershire site, the new centre opened earlier this month. Antalis said it provides customers with the opportunity to discuss their packaging requirements and see packaging designs developed and samples quickly created on site.

The latest developments in packaging automation, including carton and bag on-demand machinery, are also showcased in the new demonstration suite.

Additionally, Antalis said customers can have demonstrations of a full range of in-the-box systems in air cushion and paper technology that wrap, cushion and protect products. There are systems on display from Lantech, Sealed Air, Ranpak and Pregis.

Antalis Packaging head of innovation and design John Garner said the company has seen a growth in demand for its packaging services, driven by customers seeking to find solutions to their packaging sustainability and efficiency concerns.

“A lot of our focus at the SPC is on helping customers to understand how they can futureproof their business,” he said.

“Having the opportunity to see automated packaging machinery working makes it easier for them to understand the features of the different machines and to visualise how it might integrate with their existing setup.”

Antalis said the new dedicated design studio offers innovative packaging design as well as artwork design. Once a pack has been developed on screen, samples can be created – and printed – in the demonstration suite.

“We have had an injection of fresh thinking from our talented university interns, two of whom are now working full-time in the studio,” Garner added.

“They have really wowed us – and our customers – with their fresh ideas and ability to create packaging solutions.”