Chesterfield - Destination Chesterfield

Based in Chesterfield, with additional manufacturing facilities in the UK in Poland and Canada, Robinson currently employs around 350 people. Formerly a family business, with its origins dating back some 165 years, today the Group’s main activities are in the manufacture and sale of injection moulded plastic and rigid paperboard packaging.

Robinson operate primarily within the food, drink, confectionery, cosmetic and toiletry sectors, providing niche or custom manufacture to major players in the fast moving consumer goods market, such as Proctor & Gamble, Nestlé, Kraft, United Biscuits, Northern Foods, Masterfoods, Bakkavor, Unilever, Avon, Boots and Dr Oetker.

The Robinson family have lived in Chesterfield since the 16th Century. In 1766 William Robinson started a pottery in Brampton, at Whittingholme, known today as Wheathbridge, manufacturing all kinds of brownware. His son also called William continued the business after his father’s death and William’s third son, John B Robinson was a Chemist with a chemist’s shop in Packer’s Row.

In 1839 John bought a small Pill Box business from a Mr Fletcher of Youlgrave and moved the business of pill box making to the dining room of the house his grandfather had built in Wheatbridge. This was the start of the Robinson packaging business which has now been in Chesterfield for 171 years. At its height it was the biggest single employer in Chesterfield, employing over 4,500 people.

Guy Robinson, Group Finance Director says, “I am proud to be a direct descendant of John B Robinson and believe the central location of Chesterfield with good rail and motorway links has contributed to the success of our business.”