Richard Coombes
General Manager | GWP Protective
Richard has worked at GWP Protective in a number of differing roles since early 2004 – joining when the company was still known as Eastman Packaging.
Originally working on the shop floor manufacturing cases and foam inserts, in 2009 Richard became the Internal Sales Manager, and then, in 2014, took over the running of the division as General Manager.
This succession through the business means Richard has a huge depth of knowledge of all aspects of not only GWP Protectives’ business, but also of the full range of products it supplies and manufactures.
This expertise across foam inserts, packaging, protective cases and sample cases makes him perfectly placed to advise on the best solution for any specific application or industry. This in turn has allowed Richard to oversee a successful period of investment in new equipment and resources, as well as strong sales and revenue growth.
When not heading up the team at GWP Protective, Richard likes to spend time with his young family as well as trips to the cinema and live shows / events.
Featured Publications
News, stories and community projects involving Richard Coombes
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Latest Articles
Guides, articles and opinion from Richard Coombes
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Latest Articles
Guides, articles and opinion from Richard Coombes
See below for all of the latest articles, guides and blog posts written by Richard Coombes.
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Wood foam packaging – what is it, and should you be using it?
As a relatively recent development, you may not have heard of wood foam packaging. But should you consider using it at your business? This guide sets out exactly what wood…
1st November, 2023 -
Eco-friendly foam packaging – is now the time to switch?
If you use any form of shipping protection at your business, it may seem obvious to use eco-friendly foam packaging. But is now the time to switch?
15th October, 2023 -
Budget cases: cheap equipment case options for your business
It is obviously important to protect your business’ assets. But with costs spiralling across many areas, sourcing budget cases that still provide the required levels of…
27th March, 2022 -
Peli™ Case alternatives – 11 Pelican™ style cases to consider
Let’s be honest – Peli cases are the most well established and widely used protective hard cases currently available. They are so popular in fact that many rival waterproof options get…
13th July, 2021 -
Airline approved cases – a guide to selecting a suitable option
The Coronavirus pandemic has greatly reduced international travel. And whilst this applies to consumers heading off for a warm weather break, the numbers of business…
24th May, 2021 -
Aluminium Kit Skips – 7 important benefits for your club
Professional sport – and football in particular – is big business. Every detail, every transfer, every debatable offside decision, is analysed and discussed in great detail. But one area…
12th May, 2021 -
13 surprising advantages of aluminium cases and containers
Aluminium cases are often overlooked in favour of moulded plastic or flight-case options. But this would be a mistake in many scenarios. Aluminium cases actually boast…
23rd April, 2021 -
Peli vs Storm cases – a detailed analysis of their differences
Whilst there are a wide range of waterproof cases available, when businesses or individuals are looking to protect expensive or delicate equipment it usually ends up as a…
19th February, 2020 -
Beginners guide to UN3480, UN3481 and IATA regulations
Many people simply assume it is safe to ship lithium ion batteries. But this is not the case. This guide covers the UN3480 and other regulations that govern the safe…
18th January, 2019 -
Plastazote® foam – what is it and should you be using it?
One thing you will almost certainly be aware of is the issues your business could face from consistently supplying damaged products or parts to your customer, or having equipment…
16th January, 2018 -
Transit cases – how to decide which is right for you
Choosing the right transit case for your business can be a tough but crucial decision. This is particularly true if you are handling or shipping high-value equipment, tools or…
7th November, 2017 -
Enhancing your protective cases with foam inserts
Using the correct foam inserts can be the difference between your products arriving with your customer in one piece, or being damaged enough to be unusable or…
20th October, 2017