The 90 years of Avery
One bright idea revolutionalised a global industry
Avery was founded in 1935. In 1935 in Los Angeles Stanton Avery (1907-1997) invented the first self-adhesive and removable label. This invention was an important event in the life of an entrepreneur and has grown into a successful business, creating the industry of self-adhesive materials.
International expansion
In 1964 the first UK manufacturing operation was opened in Cumbernauld, near Glasgow in Scotland selling a range of price-marking, copier, computer and industrial labels.It was in 1975 that the Maidenhead manufacturing plant was opened producing price-marking labels and hand applicators, copier and computer labels. With the ever increasing growth, the decision was made to split the UK business into two with Cumbernauld producing industrial labels and the copier and computer labels based in Maidenhead, leading eventually to two totally separate divisions in 1987; Business Systems and Office Labels which is when Avery Laser Labels were launched.
Acquisitions expand Avery in the UK
Avery acquired M. Myers and Son, a leading manufacturer and distributor of office products and accessories in the UK in 1985. Myers produced plastic and metal desk and office accessories, computer storage units, filing racks and cabinets.
The acquisition of Myers gave the Office Products Group in the UK the opportunity to introduce new products into new markets and to utilise that company’s existing distribution network.
Further expansion across Europe
At the beginning of 1999 Avery Dennison formed a joint venture with Zweckform Buro-Produkte. Zweckform were the market leaders in Germany for form books and labels. The new company would allow the expansion of the Avery brand into central and eastern Europe and enable the continued growth of Zweckform into other countries whilst expanding the new organisations technical developements and new product research facilities.
CCL acquire Avery brand
In July 2013, Avery Office Products division was acquired by CCL Industries. CCL is the largest label company in the world providing innovative solutions to the Home & Personal Care, Food & Beverage,Healthcare & Specialty, Automotive,Electronics & Consumer Durables and Retail & Apparel markets worldwide. The Company has 4 other main divisions aside from Avery: CCL Label, CCL Container, Checkpoint and Innovia.
With the change of ownership, the future direction of Avery began. In addition to the core business of office products, the company is gradually introducing new label products for other markets and target groups, utilising the vast technical capabilities and material knowledge of the CCL group.