James Cropper commits to China
The British paper innovators, a family business for 170 years, is investing in China to make its exceptional unique and high quality papers available to the Asian luxury market.
James Cropper has opened a regional office in China’s major trading hub, Guangzhou. The British fine paper and packaging manufacturer, specialises in papers destined for luxury goods brands; the move also sees the formation of James Cropper (Guangzhou) Trading Co. Ltd.
In exporting the James Cropper brand from England’s picturesque Lake District and creating a new administrative function in Guangzhou, the company intends to strengthen ties with existing customers and engage with more of Asia’s top brands and converting specialists. Newly appointed General Manager in Guangzhou, Christine Lu, will strengthen the manufacturer’s base of local expertise in the region joining Wenhui Liu as the Business Development Manager since 2010 and Maurice Tsang in place as Regional Manager, based in Hong Kong since 2012.
James Cropper launches their enhanced presence in China with a series of special events, starting with the Luxepack Shanghai exhibition and followed by a celebratory reception for local business leaders at the exclusive Johnny Walker House in Shanghai.
Central to the celebrations will not only be the launch of the office and staff team from Guangzhou, but also the introduction into the Asian market of paper products produced through James Cropper’s pioneering recycling processes. Two unique innovations will be revealed;-
- Chocolate packaging, partly made from the shells of waste cocoa beans, bringing a new sustainability to packaging.
- A world first process, using paper from recycled coffee cups, a process officially opened by Her Majesty The Queen and the winner of the Luxepack In Green Award 2013 for sustainable packaging production.
Mark Cropper, sixth generation member of the Cropper family and Chairman, said: “Our papers are appreciated in China and across Asia because of their quality, the bespoke options we offer and the high levels of customer service that we take pride in providing. To deepen our commitment to China we have expanded our regional team and opened a trading office. It is our expectation that, after a stabilising period, we will see further growth in the use of our British-made papers in China and throughout Asia.”
James Cropper is a highly differentiated global player, specialising in tailor-made papers destined for luxury goods manufacturers, including global fashion, fragrance and confectionery brands. The new regional office based in Guangzhou, China’s sixth largest city and major trading hub, ensures that brands and manufacturers in Asia have direct access to the finest quality British papers.
Phil Wild, CEO of James Cropper plc said: “We welcome our new colleague in China, to a company with 170 years of paper making tradition. Together we are looking to the future with every confidence that our papers will suit all aspects of packaging and business stationery requirements required in the region’s competitive luxury market. Our expertise and flexibility means that we are confident of increasing our presence in China by leading through innovation as well as offering the highest standards of customer care.”
