Now that the team and I are settling into the rhythm of the business, I’m able to spend more time doing something I’ve been looking forward to since acquiring Mount Packaging Systems: visiting our customers.
For any engineering business, it’s easy to become focused on drawings, quotations, production schedules and project deadlines. But ultimately, everything we do exists to support our customers’ operations. The better we understand their businesses, their challenges and their ambitions, the better we can support them.
These visits are an opportunity to see our machinery in operation, understand how our customers use it day-to-day, and gain a deeper appreciation of the industries we serve.
Let me tell you a little of my visit to France, where I had the opportunity to spend time with one of our major customers, Nippon Paint France.
Before the visit, it was worth reflecting on the scale of the organisation. Founded in Japan in 1881, Nippon Paint has grown into one of the world’s largest coatings manufacturers. Today, the company employs more than 38,000 people globally, generates annual revenues of approximately US$13 billion, and has a market capitalisation of around US$14.7 billion. Their products are used throughout the automotive, construction, industrial, marine and protective coatings sectors, making them a truly global manufacturing powerhouse.
When businesses reach this scale, it is easy to think of them purely in terms of numbers. What interested me was understanding the people, facilities and culture behind those figures.
The Journey to Paris
For this trip, I decided to travel by train rather than fly.
There is something enjoyable about the journey itself. Travelling from Nottingham to London and then boarding the Eurostar creates a very different experience from air travel. Whilst you still pass through security and passport control, the whole process feels calmer and more relaxed.
Arriving into Gare du Nord is always impressive.
The station provides a fascinating contrast to many transport hubs in the UK. What strikes me most is how interconnected everything is. Long-distance rail services, metro lines, buses, taxis and airport connections all converge in one location, making onward travel remarkably straightforward.
It highlights something many European cities seem to do exceptionally well. The integration between different forms of transport feels seamless and intuitive.
After checking into my hotel, I took advantage of the warm Paris sunshine and went for a walk around the city. Having visited many of the major landmarks before, I deliberately avoided the usual tourist route and simply wandered through the streets.
That decision led me to discover parts of Paris I had not previously explored, including a beautiful historic church tucked away from the crowds. Walking through the city, appreciating the architecture and atmosphere, reminded me why Paris remains one of Europe’s most captivating destinations.
Business travel can often become a cycle of airports, taxis, hotels and meeting rooms. Taking time to experience the place itself provides valuable context and perspective.
Travelling to the Customer
The following morning, I made my way to Nippon Paint’s French operation.
Whenever possible, I prefer to use public transport. Not only does it give me a break from driving, but it also offers a glimpse into how people live and work within a country.
The French transport system proved easy to navigate, efficient and cost-effective. Although, as is often the case with industrial facilities, the final stage of the journey required a taxi from the nearest metro station.
On arrival, I was warmly welcomed by the senior engineering manager and one of the engineers responsible for maintaining the plant and machinery.
They generously provided a tour of the facility and gave me an opportunity to understand their operation in far greater detail than would ever be possible through emails, phone calls or video meetings.
Supporting a Global Coatings Manufacturer
Whilst visiting the facility, it was particularly rewarding to see our equipment operating as an integral part of the production process.
Mount originally supplied bespoke IBC filling machinery to the site, designed specifically for the packaging of automotive coatings into 1,000-litre Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs). These products are subsequently distributed throughout the supply chain and delivered to customers across the automotive manufacturing sector.
Unlike many standard filling systems, the equipment was engineered to meet Nippon Paint’s exact operational requirements. The available production space, workflow requirements, operator access and filling performance objectives all influenced the final design.
This is a common challenge for manufacturers of paints, coatings and other complex liquids. Every production facility is different, and achieving maximum efficiency often requires machinery that is tailored to the customer’s process rather than forcing the customer to adapt their operation around standard equipment.
At Mount, we specialise in the design and manufacture of bespoke filling machines, automated filling systems, paint filling machinery and IBC filling equipment for manufacturers of paints, coatings, lubricants, chemicals and other industrial liquids. Our systems are designed to integrate seamlessly into existing production environments whilst providing the reliability and flexibility required by modern manufacturing operations.
Seeing the equipment operating successfully within such a highly professional facility was immensely satisfying and reinforced the importance of understanding our customers’ businesses first-hand.
A Business Built for the Long Term
What stood out immediately was that this is a business built with a long-term mindset.
You could see it everywhere.
There were no obvious shortcuts. No signs of underinvestment. Instead, there was clear evidence of thoughtful, sustained investment in the infrastructure, systems and processes that support the business.
Everything appeared organised, professional and purposeful.
The facility has clearly been designed to remain operational, competitive and successful for many years to come. It is the sort of environment that gives confidence in the future.
My visit reinforced the impression that Nippon Paint France will continue to play an important role within both the automotive and building coatings sectors for decades ahead.
Equally impressive were the standards they set for themselves.
Quality is clearly embedded throughout the organisation. Every aspect of the operation reflects a commitment to consistency, reliability and continuous improvement.
Mount's Role in Their Success
Against that backdrop, it was particularly rewarding to discover the extent of Mount’s involvement within the facility.
All of the products produced at this site pass through Mount filling machinery.
Being the sole supplier of filling equipment to a manufacturing operation of this calibre is not something we take lightly.
Relationships like this are built over many years and are founded upon trust, performance and reliability.
Our responsibility extends far beyond simply supplying a machine. We are there to support our customers throughout the life of the equipment, ensuring that it continues to meet both current requirements and future ambitions.
That means providing responsive technical support, high-quality spare parts, engineering expertise and practical solutions whenever they are needed.
Visits like this also serve as a reminder of why Mount has maintained such a strong reputation within the coatings industry for more than three decades.
Our machines are trusted by many of the world’s leading manufacturers of paints, coatings, adhesives, lubricants and other complex liquids. From semi-automatic filling stations to fully automated filling lines and bespoke IBC filling systems, Mount equipment is designed to deliver reliability, flexibility and ease of maintenance in demanding industrial environments.
In environments where reliability is critical and downtime is expensive, those qualities matter.
Looking Ahead
I left France feeling genuinely grateful for the hospitality shown by the team at Nippon Paint France and for the continued support of our local agent.
More importantly, I left inspired.
The visit reinforced the value of strong local partnerships and demonstrated how much can be achieved when manufacturers, agents and customers work together with a shared commitment to long-term success.
As Mount continues to grow internationally, we intend to expand our network of trusted agents and partners. We are actively looking to develop relationships with knowledgeable representatives who understand their local manufacturing sectors and can represent Mount machinery to the highest standards.
If any of our customers know individuals or organisations who may be interested in representing Mount within their region, we would be delighted to hear from them.
After all, great partnerships are built the same way great machines are built: carefully, thoughtfully and with a long-term vision.
