British Polythene Industries celebrate their centenary
British Polythene Industries (BPI), a leading European manufacturer of polythene films, bags and sacks, is celebrating a relatively rare achievement. The Greenock, UK-based company, which operates from sites across the UK, Europe, North America and China, has received its Centenary Certificate from Companies House. Issued to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the company's registration, the certificate is a significant milestone in the history of the BPI Group, which has roots as far back as the late 18th century. During its remarkable history the Group has seen changes not only to its name but in its areas of expertise as it has evolved.
Incorporated on the 16th March 1910, the business which exists today has a strong, industrious heritage which evolved in particular through the merger of two enterprising Scottish companies during the 20th Century; James Scott & Sons Ltd and J F Robertson Limited. Although their roots in spinning and weaving sacks stretched as far back as 1797, these businesses recognised the changing industrial landscape and had the foresight to adopt new technologies and advancing raw materials. As such they laid the foundations which enabled the BPI Group to become the leading global supplier of polyethylene films it is today as well as Europe's largest recycler of polythene film waste with the ability to reprocess over 64,000 tonnes of post-use material annually.
The issue of the Centenary Certificate by Companies House closely follows other recent milestones. In late 2009, the BPI Group achieved 40th place out of 236 companies in its inaugural entry into the "Britain's Most Admired Companies" Survey. It was also recently shortlisted for both a Global Reach and Innovation Award in the annual Scotland plc Awards. Speaking upon the receipt of the Centenary Certificate, John Langlands, CEO of British Polythene Industries, said: "Understandably, everyone at BPI is delighted that the company has received this commemorative certificate from Companies House. It's a rare honour and a real testament to our belief in investment, progressive thinking and keeping abreast of the key trends and issues across our diverse markets and customer base."
Cameron McLatchie, born in Paisley, has been the dynamic Chief Executive and Group Chairman of BPI since 1988 and has been largely responsible for the expansion of the company through organic growth and acquisitions to become one of Europe's largest polyethylene film manufacturers. The interest in polyethylene started in 1975 when Cameron set up his own company, Anaplast, in Greenock and Ardeer, to produce tubular blown film. In 1983 Anaplast was incorporated into Scott & Robertson and he quickly became Chairman of the Group.
Today BPI produces high quality innovative polyethylene products, such as food packaging, shrink wrapping and agricultural film. BPI is also the largest recycler of waste polyethylene film.
Report by Charlie Geddes, SPRA Hon Secretary August 2010
