Meet Sam

Look beyond the six decades of expertise in creating automated packaging solutions for the international food industry, and you’ll find a third-generation family business. A business where people come first. Where culture drives progress. And where caring relationships have been a USP for almost sixty years.

We chatted to Sam about her partnership with HURST, her role at Packaging Automation, and the things she values most – both in business and in life.

I’m part of the third generation to be leading our family business, after my grandfather established Packaging Automation back in 1963. My dad is still central to the business as our main shareholder, and my husband is Managing Director… so perhaps that gives you a feel for just how important family values are!

For us, these values have helped to create a culture of care and support, and this extends to the way we work with our clients too. And with a long-standing commitment to apprenticeships, training and development, it means people know they’re on a rewarding career journey with us – the result is they stay a long time, we all grow close as a team, and that further strengthens our culture, as well as our specialist knowledge and experience, meaning our clients benefit further. 

I suppose that introduction sets the scene for why we first started to work with HURST. Our previous accountant was one of the ‘big six’. But there wasn’t really any personal connection there. To be honest, it all became quite transactional, and we were made to feel really rather insignificant. That’s not a nice feeling for anyone, especially when you pride yourself on being one of the world’s leading experts in your field!

"The team at HURST have always struck us as being genuinely interested, passionate and caring – not just about our business, but about us as individuals too"

HURST stood out for exactly the opposite reasons. They struck us as people who were genuinely interested, passionate and cared – not just about our business, but about us as individuals. They were real people, and those first encounters certainly felt very different from our previous experiences. It was a breath of fresh air.

We passionately believe that Packaging Automation is the world’s absolute best when it comes to manufacturing and engineering solutions, including tray sealing, pot filling and factory efficient weighing solutions for packaging in the food industry. And it’s incredibly important we have the right partners by our side. HURST very much fall into that category - not just because of their expertise in manufacturing and supporting family businesses though. There are other things that are equally important. 

I know I can always pick up the phone to Anthony or Liz, and they’ll be there for us. And because we’re talking directly to people who know and understand us and the business, we benefit from relevant, honest advice... always shaped around our own challenges and best interests. They’ve become a very important partner, and a valued sounding board for all sorts of business matters.

HURST in three words? Personable. Warm. Responsive.

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To find out more about Packaging Automation, and they're range of innovative solutions for the international food packaging industry, just click here to visit their website.