IFE Manufacturing catches up with Universal Flexible Packaging CEO Tinku Durrani to explore how the company is helping shape the future of food manufacturing. From advanced automation and integrated co-packing to the development of recyclable packaging materials, the conversation looks at how UFP is building the infrastructure ambitious food brands need to launch faster, scale smarter and meet growing sustainability demands.

Tell us a little about who you are and what your company does.

I’m Tinku Durrani, CEO of Universal Flexible Packaging. I founded UFP in 1995 and the company has grown to become one of the UK’s foremost contract packing providers and a global supplier of flexible film.

Today, we operate across 90,000 square feet over two sites in Leicester, supported by 150 employees and more than 20 production lines. Using vertical form machines or ready-made pouches, we pack everything from sugar and sweets to nuts and grains. Low-risk, ambient, free-flowing products are our expertise.

What differentiates UFP is our integrated model. We combine technical packaging development, flexible film supply, print, co-pack, storage and distribution under one operational structure: a one-stop shop. This allows us to scale our operations as our customers’ needs scale, providing the infrastructure and agility ambitious brands require.

Our growth has been driven by long-term thinking and continuous investment. As our customers have grown, we have invested in infrastructure, technology and people to ensure we could grow alongside them.

A clear example is our investment in a fully automated bespoke line equipped with multi-head weighing technology capable of running up to 100 bags per minute. Installed to support the growth of brands such as Candy Kittens, it reflects how we invest ahead of demand.

Our core values of integrity, trust and sustainability shape every decision. We operate to BRCGS AA+ standards and work in line with Sedex SMETA ethics standards. For us, growth is about building an operational framework that allows ambitious brands to move faster, launch confidently and scale responsibly.

One of our most significant recent milestones has been the opening of our new Sunningdale site. This large-footprint warehouse provides 3,500 pallet spaces and strengthens our film sales, logistics and storage capability. The facility is powered by solar energy and supported by a bespoke low-energy lighting system using just 12 amps, reinforcing our commitment to operational efficiency and environmental responsibility.

Sunningdale plays an important role in our ambition to vertically integrate the food supply chain, increasing supply security, scalability and long-term capacity for our customers

IFE Manufacturing provides a valuable platform to connect directly with ambitious brands and decision-makers across the sector. For a business built on integration, scale and sustainability, face-to-face engagement remains important.

The show allows us to demonstrate how combining packaging development, film supply, co-pack and distribution within one structure simplifies the supply chain. In a market where product cycles are accelerating, manufacturers are looking for strategic partners who can provide agility and operational clarity. IFE gives us the opportunity to have those conversations.

At IFE this year, we are focusing on how integration and material innovation work together to support modern manufacturing.

Manufacturers are facing shorter product cycles, tighter retail timelines and increasing pressure to move quickly without compromising quality. Our response is a fully aligned operating structure that brings packaging development, film sourcing, co-pack and distribution into one coordinated framework. This reduces lead times, improves communication and removes unnecessary complexity from the supply chain.

On the materials side, we are showcasing our expanding recyclable flexible film portfolio. These structures are engineered to perform to the same standards as conventional films in terms of sealing strength, print quality and durability, allowing brands to transition without disrupting production efficiency.

The focus at IFE is practical innovation. Solutions must work on the line, meet commercial realities and support long-term scalability. Our model is designed to deliver that balance.

Sustainability at UFP operates at two levels: material development and operational responsibility.

From a packaging perspective, we offer recyclable flexible films and are working alongside specialist partners to develop bio-based and compostable materials that remain commercially viable in live production environments. Any sustainable solution we provide must meet the same performance expectations as traditional structures, including durability, product protection and print quality.

Beyond materials, sustainability is embedded in how we run our business. We operate to BRCGS AA+ standards and align with Sedex SMETA ethical frameworks, ensuring environmental and governance standards are upheld throughout the supply chain. Our new Sunningdale warehouse is powered by solar energy and supported by a low-energy lighting system, reflecting our commitment to reducing environmental impact while maintaining operational scale.

For us, sustainability is integrated into our infrastructure, compliance, material science and long-term investment decisions.

Our next phase of growth is centred on deepening our vertical integration and strengthening our position as a sustainability-led manufacturing platform.

We are continuing to invest in infrastructure, advanced packaging capability and material innovation so that brands can move from concept through to scaled production within one aligned ecosystem. The ambition is to provide a complete, integrated manufacturing solution that simplifies the supply chain and improves resilience.

We also see significant opportunity in sustainable material development. As regulatory expectations and consumer awareness increase, the ability to offer high-performance recyclable and bio-based solutions at scale will become a defining competitive advantage. We intend to be at the forefront of that shift.

Find out more at https://uniflex.co.uk/ and meet directly with the UFP team on Stand N270 at IFE Manufacturing 2026.