According to Mansfield Board Machinery (MBM) managing director Nikki Bratherton, converters are placing greater emphasis on long-term performance than purchase price. ‘Converters are looking more closely at the true cost of ownership,’ she explains. ‘A component that lasts longer, reduces downtime and keeps machines running efficiently will always deliver greater value than one selected on price alone.’
This approach underpins MBM’s SHOK BLOK® system, a stitch and glue flap cutting solution that provides consistent performance in demanding production environments.
Operating conditions in many African corrugated plants create additional challenges. Heat, dust and demanding production schedules place extra pressure on equipment, making durability and ease of maintenance important. Designed for long service life, SHOK BLOK maintains cutting accuracy while reducing the need for frequent adjustment or replacement.
‘Reliability on the factory floor depends on sound engineering and practical solutions for the people using them every day,’ Nikki comments. ‘Equipment needs to be robust, straightforward and able to support consistent production regardless of the operating environment.’
Designed as a ‘fit and forget’ tooling solution, SHOK BLOK can be installed without specialised technical expertise. MBM also provides technical support through dedicated phone and WhatsApp channels.
MBM’s approach is backed by almost 50 years of experience in the corrugated industry. Founded in the UK, the company specialises in engineering solutions for board converting operations worldwide.
A new chapter began in 2024 following a management buyout led by long-standing employees Nikki Bratherton, Kevin Dartnell and Beccy Dartnell. The transition has retained the company’s family-focused culture while supporting further investment in manufacturing capacity, internal efficiencies and product development.
‘The strength of MBM has always been the knowledge and commitment of the people behind the business,’ says Nikki. ‘The management buyout allowed us to protect that heritage while focusing on where we want to take the company over the next 50 years.’
Since the transition, MBM has expanded its production capabilities and increased component output to support growing demand from international markets.
With agent representation throughout Africa, the company remains focused on supporting corrugated converters with tooling solutions designed to improve uptime, reduce waste and keep production moving.
