Partner Article

North West manufacturer goes digital with new apprentice

The UK’s leading polythene manufacturer and packaging supplier, Duo UK has appointed a digital marketing apprentice as it looks to branch out into the digital sphere.

Duo UK enrolled Nikita Briggs, 18, on a Social Media and Digital Marketing course run by The Juice Academy in September.

The course, which is a year long, aims to teach apprentices about all aspects of digital marketing for businesses and marks a first for the Manchester based manufacturer who has previously only appointed apprentices in manufacturing and engineering roles.

The manufacturing firm has recently expanded its product range and now supplies a wide variety of retails packaging items including tissue paper, ribbon, and luxury paper bags. Digital marketing is crucial raising Duo’s brand awareness in the new markets that the extended product range has opened up.

Nikita Briggs, Duo UK’s Social Media and Digital Marketing apprentice from Prestwich, said: “Going to university seemed like a very obvious choice after school but it didn’t fill me with excitement and passion – I wanted to get into the world of work, to start from the bottom and work my way up without a massive debt to pay back after graduation.

“I also love the idea of working in the manufacturing industry and have been incredibly inspired by everybody I’ve met who works in this field – there is an abundance of opportunity for women in particular who are ambitious and driven.

“The skills I’m learning in the Social Media and Digital Marketing course will stand me in good stead for any industry, and I’m enjoying being able to apply the skills I’m gaining at Duo.”

Zoe Brimelow, Brand Director at Duo UK added: “We’ve been a long time supporter of apprenticeships, getting people in straight from school, teaching them about the industry, showing them a clear career progression, and giving them lifelong skills in a technical industry.

“We especially support women who want to forge a career in manufacturing, having recently supported a project to do just that with Alliance Manchester Business School and two local girls schools.

“Digital is an area we’re keen to invest in because we’re always trying to challenge the often outdated perception of what the manufacturing industry is like. Digital technology is integral to how we run our business now and in the future.”

Manchester based Duo UK has been manufacturing and supplying bespoke mailbags, luxury paper bags, bag for life, gift boxes, tissue and ribbon to leading retail and e-retail brands, such as JD Williams, JD Sports and Tesco for more than 25 years.

In 2015 the company launched DuoGreen to help customers achieve their environmental goals, and is proud to be the only UK Manufacturer to produce carbon negative, sustainable and organic mailing bags using GreenPE.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Victoria Bartram .