Bristol-based packaging, logistics and engineering company IES has recently been approved for the prestigious Military Packager Approval Scheme (MPAS) by the Ministry of Defence.
IES is the first company in the country to secure MPAS through the route of gaining approval from scratch, rather than being transferred over from the MOD’s previous packaging approval scheme, known as DR/14.
MPAS has been awarded to only 26 other companies nationally who meet the MOD’s stringent standards that certify them to package goods for the defence industry. To gain MPAS, IES packer Piotr Strug undertook various stages of training and assessment. This included intensive online training, then a five-day expert course culminating in a series of practical exams. Meanwhile, IES implemented new ISO 9000 management processes, which were audited by an MOD-approved external certification body Lloyds Registered Quality Assurance (LRQA).
IES has been involved with the export packing business since 1991 and has supplied this service to companies such as Rolls Royce, GE and Intel. Over the last three years, turnover has increased by 30 per cent. More significantly, the business has grown from a £4.5 million turnover in 2005 to a £7.5 million turnover in 2014, an increase of an impressive 66%. At the same time IES has expanded from employing 31 people to 45 people. Having recently taken on new packaging staff, the MPAS registration will enable IES to achieve further business growth and therefore increase the workforce.
Matt Boyd, Sales Director from IES, said:
“It is extremely important for our business that we have secured the MPAS registration and certification from the MOD. It will open up a whole new area of business for us and we are confident that we will win some big contracts, which will have a positive impact, both on the local economy and us. We are forecasting high growth over the next three years and predict more recruitment will be needed to help us carry out the extra work required. There are numerous companies in the South West who supply parts to the MOD and they all need a packaging supplier who has this essential MPAS registration.”
Read more about our MPAS-approved military packaging service, or contact us with your enquiry.
