Our history
1839
After 200 years of the family working in local pottery businesses, J.B Robinson buys a round box business in Chesterfield.
1846
Manufacture of square boxes made from chip and pasteboard and round willow boxes for ointments are introduced and the company diversify into surgical dressings.
1885
The new factory Wheatbridge, Chesterfield opens with the introductory manufacture of surgical dressings.
1918
A world-first preparatory school opens at Wheatbridge Mills, Chesterfield.
1919
Wheatbridge Housing Association forms to build houses for employees in Chesterfield.
1928
Field House, Chesterfield canteen opens to provide all employees with at least one decent meal per day.
1938
A spiral tube winding machine is ordered for ‘Little John Drums’, one of the company’s most successful early inventions.
1939
Centenary celebrations: 3,700 employees take a company trip to enjoy a day of sight-seeing in London and visit the privately hired Albert Hall for the Grand Variety Concert.
1949 – 1952
Patent for first-ever disposable nappy system and Paddi and Cosifits brands are born. Paddi nappies selected by BBC as one of six most interesting and innovative ideas at the Daily Mail Ideal Homes Exhibition, London.
1957
The company purchased its first injection moulding machine for the Smarties tube cap.
1974-1988
IE Whites Plastics at Kirkby in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire is acquired. Injection blow moulding machine purchased. Installation of robotic machinery to aid manufacture. Company renames to Robinson Packaging. BS5750 standard achieved.
2004
Robinson joins the AIM London Stock Market.
2005
The company expands into Eastern European with the purchase of the Lodz factory site in Poland.
2006
VR Plastics business at Stanton Hill, Nottinghamshire is acquired.
2014
Purchase of Madrox plastic packaging business in Warsaw, Poland.
2021
Robinson Packaging becomes Robinson Plc and rebrands.
2021
Robinson expands into Northern Europe and acquires Danish business Schela Plast.
