INCORPORATED IN 1896

About Us

Learn more about what we do, our history, processes and more.

Overview

Here at PottertonPacs we are designers, manufacturers and suppliers of protective presentation cases and padded soft bags. We also specialise in CNC routing, water jet and die cutting of bespoke foam pad inserts for all your customised packaging, display and transportation requirements.

PottertonPacs was formed in 2012 from the successful merger of custom case and bag manufacturer Potterton Cases coming together with polystyrene and foam conversion specialists PACS. With a rich history and impressive business lineage dating back to the 19th century, both businesses were experts in their fields and now combined can offer customers an unrivalled experience in transit, presentation, storage and packaging solutions.

At PottertonPacs we use the latest technology to provide an excellent design and production service. Our extensive range of products and services include:

  • protective equipment cases
  • padded carry bags
  • sample presentation and promotional display cases
  • custom CNC routed, die cut or water jet cut foam inserts
  • tool control trays
  • protective polystyrene and foam packaging products
  • POS display packaging
  • 3D lettering/signage

PottertonPacs are authorised distributors for many leading brands including: Samsonite, Maxado, Peli Storm Cases, Peli Protector Cases, BWH Aluminium and Protective Transit Cases.

History

Potterton Cases

Both Pottertons Cases and PACS of Leicester are proud of their heritage with the companies having traded for 116 and 120 years respectively prior to merger.

Incorporated in 1896, A Potterton Ltd was named after its founder Arthur Potterton and traded as Pottertons Cases primarily manufacturing shoe display cases to supply the booming shoe and textile industry in Leicester at that time.

The company’s reputation grew over the years and became synonymous with the highest standards of craftsmanship, commissioned to make shoe cases for H.R.H. The Duchess of York’s wedding luggage in 1929.

In 1946 the company was purchased by Mr. Norman Jackson from the Potterton family. John Pickering the son in-law of Mr Jackson took over Pottertons Cases in 1957. Under John’s leadership Pottertons Cases grew in strength and reputation, diversifying into new markets, which led to a new factory and showroom being built at Coleman Road in Leicester, where the head office of PottertonPacs is situated today. John has since retired and his son Tim Pickering, trained in the design and manufacture of leather goods, became the Managing Director.

PACS

PACS Leicester dates back to 1892, when it first began trading under B Wigley & Sons as export packers and packing case manufacturers, which was incorporated in 1941. BWS Export Packaging Services Ltd, incorporated in 1968, was originally a division of B Wigley & Sons Ltd, operating as the Export Packing arm. When this function was assumed back into the main company of B. Wigley & Sons, BWS Export Packaging Services started trading as PACS – foam and polystyrene conversion specialists.

The company has had many unusual commissions over the years but one to mention is in 1974, when the company protectively packed Hermann Goering’s wartime Mercedes staff car, the engine for this was from a Messerschmitt 109 fighter plane, for container transit from the UK to the USA!

Dave Wigley, great grandson to the founder, Benjamin Wigley, has run PACS since 1987, concentrating on developing the specialist foam and polystyrene conversion part of the business, which merged with Potterton Cases in 2012.

PottertonPacs

David Wigley has since retired from the company with 2018 seeing Todd Pickering joining his father as Joint Managing Director.

Although many things have changed over the past century, the foundations upon which Pottertons Cases and PACS were built remain the same; craftsmanship, quality and service.

These foundations support our continued aim to ensure your products arrive on time, to the correct specification and to the agreed budget each and every time.

Design

We pride ourselves on being expert designers, manufacturers and suppliers of custom made: protective presentation cases, padded soft bags, protective covers for transit, presentation and storage solutions for a wide range of industries.

The pre-production design process we offer at PottertonPacs will begin by working alongside you to create a brief. Our designers will then identify the most suitable case, bag, foam or polystyrene solution to suit your requirements. This maybe a standard model modified to suit your needs or a bespoke packaging solution.

A design specification sheet will be produced prior to production. It will be presented using the latest CAD-CAM drawing software and technology to allow us to offer customers the most comprehensive pre-production image of their product.

This design and specification process allows our clients to envisage the finished item prior to production commencing.

Production

On approval of the design or the prototype of your requirement, the production process commences. Our quality control systems check the manufacturing quality of the various components of your cases, padded bags, foams or polystyrene products. This is to ensure that the product we deliver to you is fit for purpose.

Working from our two Leicester based production sites, our manufacturing services include:

  • CNC routing/profiling
  • press die cutting
  • water jet cutting
  • foam slitting & slicing
  • full range of stitching service
  • laminating, gluing and heat welding systems
  • riveting
  • company branding via silk screen & digital printing, badges, embroidery, engraving & labels

All of the above are carried out by a highly skilled and experienced workforce. Ensuring we deliver your order on time and to the agreed budget and quality.

We pride ourselves on our attention to detail ensuring every concept is turned into reality.