Lifting the Lid on Sales Manager Ken Dunlop

Ken Dunlop has been Sales Manager at Chadwicks for almost nine years. We caught up with him to find out more about his background, his current role, his views on what is happening within the plastics packaging sector and his passions outside of work.

Please tell us a bit about your career background

I joined a graduate packaging programme after University and have spent my entire career in the packaging sector. Prior to joining Chadwicks I spent 20 years working in the corrugated packaging market, which at the time felt like a huge change. Surprisingly, there are many similarities between corrugated packaging and lidding.

Tell us about your role

I am responsible for commercial activities in large parts of the UK as well as the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. As part of my role, I’m involved in new business development and contract negotiation. No two days are ever the same.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

Chadwicks is a great company to work for with a really dedicated team of experienced people committed to exceptionally high standards of customer service, quality, innovation and supply chain efficiency.

What are the key trends influencing lidding?

Recyclability continues to be the biggest factor influencing flexible packaging. By the end of this year, we will be supplying polyester lidding containing a percentage of recycled material which will be well ahead of and negate the tariffs that are expected to come into force in 2022.

What changes would you like to see within the industry?

Companies associated with the plastic industry have had a bad press of late, unjustifiably, in my opinion. Not all plastics are bad and they can present opportunities to solve environmental concerns, such as food waste. I would like the industry to stand up for itself and rebut some of the aspirational platitudes that we are hearing from other packaging sectors.

Finally, what are your passions outside of work?