About Us
FC cartons is an owner managed family run company, established in May 2003. Husband and wife, David and Debra Woodyatt set up the Castle Donington based company after many years experience within the packaging industry. Between them they now have over 55 combined years of experience.
The idea to form a gluing and folding company came about after the realisation that there was a gap in the market for a highly skilled, quality assured company providing support to packaging, printing and carton companies throughout the UK.
It was this gap in the market and obvious demand for such a service that has seen fc cartons experience steady and sustained growth over the last eight years.
The company now employs 18 staff and four years ago, saw a relocation to purpose designed industrial premises in a convenient out of town location in the East Midlands.
Substantial investment has been made during this time, not only in additional plant but also in recruiting and training the right people for the job, resulting in a highly skilled and experienced workforce.
Meet the team
All members of the Management team have hands on experience in the print, packaging and carton manufacturing sectors.
David Woodyatt – Managing Director
david@fccartons.co.uk
Born and bred in Harbourne, Birmingham, David began a career in catering, starting in the kitchen washing dishes and working his way up to become head chef within three years. A desire to open his own restaurant saw David make the decision to go into the building industry, as a scaffolder, in order to earn enough money to save for the day he could establish his own restaurant.
Three years later he found himself in Nottingham, working for a carton company. Having worked his way up to production Director some 14 years later, he had an idea of starting own business, specialising in carton gluing and it was from this germ of an idea that fc cartons was formed in 2003.
The business has enjoyed steady growth since its inception and David says he still enjoys the challenge of the day to day aspects of running the business.
In his spare time he enjoys a round of golf and supporting Birmingham City – somebody has to! David is also a keen collector of antiques and likes cooking for family and friends (and a very good cook he is too, by all accounts). He admits to still thinking about owning that restaurant.
Debra Woodyatt – Finance Director
debra@fccartons.co.uk
Debra has had over 31 years in the industry, having started out as a Financial Controller in a general printing company that later expanded into carton finishing. From the printing company, Debra's next role was in the world of printed wrappers, films, paper and polythene bags; this was working for a large plc, with three sites and a turnover of 50 million pounds. It was during this time as a Commercial Accountant that Debra was involved in a Management Buyout of the company.
After taking a career break to have her two boys, Debra returned to work as a Commercial Accountant in the beauty industry (the tales she has to tell!).
Having made the decision to set up the business with husband David in 2003, the choice was made to include the names of their two sons in the company name. The initials f and c being taken from Freddie and Charlie.
Debra has responsibility for the accountancy needs of fc cartons as well as wearing the hat of Quality Manager, covering everything from the maintenance of all ISO accreditations along with customer satisfaction monitoring and undertaking internal audits.
Debra also happily takes responsibility – or so we like to think - for providing clean tea towels and any other job that nobody else wants!
When she is not at work Debra is a familiar sight in the village where she lives, walking the family’s two chocolate Labradors – Cadbury and Cocoa. She is also a school governor at the local primary school.
In her spare time…what bit she has, Debra likes to get into her garden and would love to take up golf again, if she ever gets the chance.
Liam Cox - Operations Manager
liam@fccartons.co.uk
Liam has been with fc cartons from the very beginning, having initially started his career in the industry in 1994, working first for a carton manufacturer and later a printers in Nottingham. He gained experience in warehousing and despatch before moving on to the production side, eventually becoming gluing manager. Liam has responsibility for the day to day running of the production facility at fc cartons.
In his dim and distant past, Liam was the front man in a five member Indie band called One Nil Down. They toured and played venues such as Rock City in Nottingham as well as Islington Town Hall and Covent Garden. They disbanded when, having been offered a recording contract, the lead guitarist/manager refused to sign, saying - he thought they could do better!
He is a keen supporter, along with his eldest son, of Nottingham Forest FC - both holding season tickets. He still manages to play for a local Oakes Insurance Premier Division team, Athletica FC and also coaches the youngsters there. A bit of a theme running through Liam’s leisure activities we feel.
Mark Aubrey - Business Development Manager
mark@fccartons.co.uk
Mark joined the company as Business Development Manager in July 2011, after having spent over 30 years in the graphic & carton board industry. Mark will spend some time getting to know the systems here at fc cartons as well as going out to meet customers.
This is a new role for fc cartons so Mark will be ‘ploughing his own furrow’ in developing new markets as well as promoting existing capabilities to our customer base. He is a great team player and complements the squad perfectly.
Mark is married with two grown up off-spring, one of whom has recently emigrated to Canada. Mark lives locally with his wife and ‘over the hill’ cat. In his spare time he plays a lot of golf (although he readily admits his handicap suggests otherwise) but he is yet to put one over the boss (our Managing Director) and is determined to remedy this situation as soon as possible!
He is also an avid Nottingham Forest fan and finds it difficult to come to terms with the fact he now has to earn a living working in Derby!
Jane Page – Marketing Manager
jane@fccartons.co.uk
Jane has been with the company for seven years now, joining fc cartons as the company went into its second year. Jane has been in marketing for 25 years in all, having spent time in various industry sectors along the way.
Responsibilities include web site updates, putting together the quarterly newsletter and other marketing material, press releases and articles for publication. Jane also assists in promoting the Technical Development Facility as well as identifying and researching new markets.
Jane spends her spare time riding a Ducati Monster and supporting her partner Rob in his motorcycle racing; spending many a weekend as one of the pit crew at various racing circuits, including Mallory Park and Donington Park. Jane also enjoys spending time in the Derbyshire Peaks, either walking, mountain biking or motorcycling.
Jennifer Cook - Administrator
jennifer@fccartons.co.uk
Jennifer has been with the company just over three years, joining us from a self tanning company where she was PA to the owner, as well as having a role in HR. Prior to this Jen spent 12 years with a large hotel chain and also had a very exciting interlude where she worked in Libya as a PA at the British Embassy. Whilst sat contemplating retirement a phone call came from fc cartons - soon putting paid to those thoughts. We had other plans for her!
At fc cartons Jen provides administrative support to various departments within the company including quality, HR and marketing - a true all rounder and an invaluable member of the team.
Jen lives in Sandiacre, Nottingham with her husband Steve who is a retired civil engineer, now working on a consultancy basis. She has two married off-spring and two young grandchildren – Ethan and Daisy, who she looks after one day a week and the odd weekend.
In her spare time Jen likes sewing, walking and spending quality time with her grandchildren.
Our production team
Our team are highly qualified and committed to providing an excellent level of service. We pride ourselves on our ability to recruit the most knowledgeable and experienced workforce and to retain them. They are all hand picked ….like ripe fruit!
We genuinely feel we have the right people, with the right values to service our customers; a team of people sharing the same very high personal and professional standards and all demonstrating tremendous dedication and the commitment to exceed customer’s expectations.
