Director general of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) Digby Jones praised the environmental credentials of Rowlinson Packaging Ltd during a visit to the Cheshire company.

Mr Jones congratulated staff at the Nantwich firm, part of Rowlinson Timber Group Ltd, for their part in helping it become one of the first UK packaging companies to achieve the ISO 14001 environmental standard (TTJ, April 6).

He was accompanied on the September visit by director of the CBI’s north west region Chris Clifford. They toured operations and discussed future projects with directors.

Mr Jones said: “The company is part of the backbone of manufacturing and employment in the UK, and I have been particularly impressed with the appetite and desire for innovation.”

&#8220I have been particularly impressed with Rowlinson’s appetite and desire for innovation.”

Director general of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) Digby Jones.

Rowlinson Packaging is the UK’s sole manufacturer of wirebound timber containers, and also produces metal edged timber boxes, riveted plywood cases and timber and plastic pallets. Wooden containers are made only from timber sourced from sustainably managed forests.

The company was one of the first packaging firms to gain the Quality Assurance award ISO 9002 in 1989, and in 1997 it was the first in its sector to attain the Investor in People standard.