PAPER CHASE

HOW A CAR WAS MADE ENTIRELY FROM PAPER

When London-based Scottish paper artist Kyla McCallum was commissioned by automotive manufacturer Lexus to create a model car made of paper, she turned to Antalis for advice on suitable materials.

The scaled car, complete with a paper city through which it cruises, features in a promotional video created by Lexus in tribute to Takumi craftsmanship. The paper car model was built on top of a remote-controlled chassis, on a 1:10 scale and included over 100 individual parts.

Crucial to taking the project from concept to reality was the choice of paper to be used. Kyla McCallum of Foldability chose three papers from Antalis to craft the paper city and Lexus UX300e: • Curious Alchemy Silver, 300gsm • Curious Alchemy Titanium, 300gsm • Curious Metallics Electric Blue, 120gsm

THE CAR

Curious Metallics Electric Blue was chosen as it is almost an exact match to the paintwork on the Lexus UX 300e featured in the video. Kyla comments, “The Curious Metallics Electric Blue, 120gsm, was really easy to cut and mould into shape, and it didn’t pucker easily, which was great.” THE CITY

Curious Alchemy Silver and Titanium were chosen for the paper city to create a ‘Metropolis’ feel. The tallest building was over two metres high and therefore required a stiff and robust paper; 300gsm Curious Alchemy proved ideal.

The paper Lexus took five and a half weeks to make and the entire project took over four months to complete, from the initial concept through to filming the final set.

Creative Papers Sales Manager at Antalis, Vicky Weatherington comments: “We have been excited to witness the progress of the project — it’s a great example of the versatility of paper.” www.antalis.com

PREMIER ACQUIRES LAMINATION FILM SPECIALISTS, ZULU PACKAGING

Zulu Packaging provides products for a wide range of lamination and packaging film requirements, including, flexible packaging films for direct food contact, lamination films for carton producers and a stock range of lamination films for commercial print. Zulu Packaging will now become a specialist division of the Premier group and will be known as Premier Lamination Films.

Michael Beever, Managing Director commented on the acquisition, “I am delighted to welcome Zulu Packaging to Premier. Lamination films are sold very successfully in many countries across the wider JPP group and we have used this experience and expertise to identify opportunities to further expand our product offer to existing and new customers. Many of our existing commercial print customers can now source their lamination film requirements from Premier with an extensive range of films available from stock that can be delivered with their paper order. It will also allow us to provide packaging converters with a greater choice of products that complements our expanding carton and graphical board business.”

“From a business perspective the acquisition makes good sense. The synergies that can be achieved, particularly in the area of stockholding and distribution, means that we can offer an enhanced service with very few incremental costs and this additional range of products provides greater choice and convenience for our customers”.

Steve Creates, Managing Director at Zulu Packaging commented “We are delighted to be joining Premier and the wider JPP family. I am looking forward to working with the Premier teams to grow our business together and take our products to new areas of the market.”

Premier Paper Group is part of OVOL JPP. www.paper.co.uk

DENMAUR BUYS FINE AND VISION PAPERS

Denmaur Independent Papers has reached an agreement to acquire the business and assets of the Fine Paper and Conversion division (incorporating Vision Paper and Board) from Middleton Paper Company Ltd, with completion scheduled for mid-July. Middleton’s staff will continue to operate from their location in Walsall and the Middleton brands will also remain under the new ownership.

This will represent Denmaur’s first acquisition since Harry E Gould Jr. took a majority shareholding in the company in 2019.

Denmaur’s Chairman, Harry E Gould Jr., commented, “We are acquiring an ongoing and profitable operation in Middleton, and although a slightly different business model, the combined strengths and differences of the two companies will generate added value and a unique opportunity for the UK paper and board market going forward”

Denmaur has steadily grown since opening their doors in1983 to become one of the UK’s leading paper merchants specialising in supply for the publishing, commercial print and carton board sectors. Also known for their sustainability services, Denmaur recently announced the landmark 100,000 tonnes of carbon-balanced paper sales. Middleton has made their name largely through their conversion services in the graphic paper and board market, with the introduction of a merchanting arm, Vision, in more recent years.

Mike Gee, CEO of Denmaur, noted, “This takes me back to my roots, before we started Denmaur, when I worked alongside Jean Stanley at M6 Paper who were then a very successful merchanting and conversion company. Jean is now part of the Denmaur team and will no doubt share our excitement of sales and conversion coming together again.”

Denmaur Managing Director, Nick Gee, stated, “Denmaur and Middleton share the ethos of a family-owned business as well as a tremendous respect for employee commitment, which has been instrumental to the success of both companies. The acquisition adds another facet to our business, allowing us to provide making sizes of paper and board to our customer base with short lead times.” www.denmaur.com