The business is led by husband and wife team Mark and Joanna Farr who are not only looking to support the transition to more sustainable packaging in the leisure and hospitality sector, but also invest, grow and employ people in their home city of Coventry.
The move into the new HQ was marked by a visit from Mary Creagh CBE, Labour MP for Coventry East, and Corin Crane, the chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce.
Deputy Lord Mayor of Coventry, Councillor Rachel Lancaster, was also part of the ribbon cutting ceremony after Purple Planet Packaging received £36,000 in funding, including £25,000 from the Business Support Programme and £11,000 through a Business Energy Advice Service (BEAS) grant. Both schemes are funded via Coventry City Council and Business Growth West Midlands UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Mark said the next 12 months will be about investment, growth and innovation.
He said: “I am grateful to Mary Creagh CBE MP and Corin Crane for supporting us as we launch our new facility, right here in Coventry – our home city.
“This new unit gives us the space and capability to grow – not just in size, but in ambition.
“Our business saw rapid growth during the Covid period, and while things have naturally levelled off since, we’ve used that momentum as a springboard to invest in the future.
“This move is a key part of our strategy to maintain growth through innovation — expanding into new markets, starting to import products directly, and growing our team. We're currently a team of six, with plans to grow to over ten by this time next year.
“We’ve also strengthened our relationships with UK manufacturers and leading board producers, which puts us in a strong position to innovate and bring new, compliant products to market in line with the latest UK packaging legislation. Staying ahead of the curve is vital for our customers — and it’s a responsibility we take seriously.
“Just as importantly, this expansion reflects our long-term commitment to Coventry. With support through local business funding through Coventry City Council, we’ve invested in key equipment and used grant funding to upgrade our lighting to LED throughout the building. We're also planning to install solar panels on the roof to further reduce our environmental impact.”
Mary Creagh CBE MP said: “This Labour Government is cleaning up Britain and ending the throwaway society. As Minister for Waste, I am committed to the UK shifting to a circular economy which encourages repair, reuse and innovation.
"For this to work we must give people everyday access to products and services where resources are used again and again, and waste is designed out from the start.
“We need more people and more businesses doing what Mark and Joanna are doing; rethinking how we design, manufacture, and use the materials and products that sustain our lives.”
Corin Crane said: “Purple Planet Packaging is a brilliant example of a company that wants to invest, grow and make a positive contribution to both the environment and the region’s economy.
“We wish Mark, Joanna and the team every success in their new facility and we’ll be here to support them in whatever way we can to help turn their ambitions into reality.”
Rachel Lancaster added: “It’s an absolute pleasure to support Mark, Joanna and the Purple Planet Packaging team. It is great to see how the business has developed and that all of their hard work is paying off which has allowed them to move into this wonderful new warehouse.
“Not only are they doing great work and growing their business, they are also big contributors to local charities and community groups and are a real asset to Coventry and the wider region.”
Pictured: Mary Creagh cuts the ribbon to open Purple Planet Packaging’s new HQ
