Colleagues and their families were invited to mark the 180th anniversary since the foundation of James Cropper.
Founded in 1845, James Cropper has grown from its Cumbrian roots at Burneside, near Kendal, to become a global group, with sites in Cornwall, Crewe, and Schenectady in the USA.
Three generations of the Cropper family, attended the event with Sir James Cropper, Mark Cropper, and Mark’s son joining staff to celebrate nearly two centuries of papermaking excellence and the development of advanced materials.
Highlights of the company’s history include producing paper for the British government during World War One, supplying the iconic red paper for Remembrance Day poppies and welcoming the Queen in 2013 to open the revolutionary CupCycling plant – the world’s first facility dedicated to recycling coffee cups at scale.
Earlier this year, the company supported the publication of a book produced from paper made from recycled coffee cups.
Visitors were shown how high-performance nonwovens and electrochemical materials used to deliver clean energy and adapted for aerospace and medical applications, are produced along with moulded fibre packaging.
David Stirling, James Cropper CEO, said: “Our story has never been about standing still.
“For 180 years, change, challenge and creativity have been our fuel. The dedication, curiosity and skill of our people continue to shape the future of sustainable materials and advanced technologies.”
With two core divisions driving its next chapter – Advanced Materials and Paper & Packaging – the company is expanding into high-growth markets, from clean energy and next generation battery technology to sustainable luxury packaging, while strengthening its role as a trusted partner to global brands, designers and manufacturers.
Mr Stirling added: “As we celebrate 180 years, this is as much about what comes next as what came before.
“This is a moment to recognise the people, partnerships and ideas that brought us here and to reaffirm our commitment to innovation, sustainability and growth.
“The same bold spirit will guide us into the next century.”
