30th Anniversary Special: Keep it in the family

Marden Edwards Ltd was founded by Bryan Marden and Gordon Edwards in 1961. It is still owned by the Marden and Edwards families today, with the Board consisting of Jonathan Edwards, son of Gordon, who is the managing director, Jeremy, son of Bryan Marden who is the marketing director, and Mike Patey, commercial director, who is not a family member.

Thirty years ago, the company operated out of one 18,000 ft² factory in the UK. There are now two factories in the UK, and another in Germany, which manufactures a separate range of overwrapping machinery.

The company advertised a 4-12 wrapping machine in Packaging Today’s very first issue, and although the range is still made, but it is now in Series 5 guise. “In 1979, 50/min was the fastest cyclic machine speed possible for Marden Edwards,” says Jeremy Marden. Today, we produce machines that will run up to 300 packs/min, although they use different principles to the 4-12.”

Exporting has always featured in the company’s history. Says Mr Marden, “The second machine order that Marden Edwards received in 1961 was for export to Australia. The company has always exported, and the proportion of exports, around 80%, has stayed fairly constant over the past 30 years.”

Mr Marden says that customer expectations haven’t changed much over the years. “They have always expected good value, easy to operate, reliable machinery,” he says. However, overseas competition has meant that the company has had to focus hard on design and efficiency to compete.

Asked where he sees the company in 30 years’ time, Mr Marden replies: “Wimborne, in Dorset, looking forward to contributing to the Packaging Today 60th anniversary!”