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
Please click the links below to see press coverage of the projects that Richard has been involved with whilst working at GWP Group.
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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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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Maritime packaging – 7 essential characteristics
More than 90% of all goods transported globally are carried by sea freight at some point. This makes shipping by sea – and, by extension, maritime packaging—crucial to…
28th February, 2024 -
Pallet packaging – 7 advantages of well-optimised boxes
If your business ships products in bulk, you may be surprised to learn that your pallet packaging – and particularly well-optimised boxes – can significantly impact your…
9th February, 2024 -
UK pallet sizes – what are they, and do they affect your packaging?
A common question you may have if you need to bulk ship many smaller products or particularly large items, is what are UK pallet sizes? A UK standard pallet is…
2nd February, 2024 -
Export packing lists – 10 crucial details to include in 2024
If your business exports parts, assemblies or finished products, getting your documentation – particularly your export packing list – is vital. An export packing list provides…
29th January, 2024 -
What is ISPM 15? A comprehensive guide for packaging requirements
If your business uses wooden crates, pallets or timber packaging, it is essential that you are aware of ISPM 15. ISPM 15 – meaning International Standards For Phytosanitary…
26th January, 2024 -
6 essential pallet optimisation tips to maximise efficiency
Regardless of your industry sector, if you ship large volumes of products on pallets, these essential pallet optimisation tips can significantly and positively impact your…
18th January, 2024 -
Should you consider using bespoke pallets at your business?
As the person responsible for sourcing pallets (and associated packaging) at your business, you may have asked whether you should consider bespoke-size pallets…
16th January, 2024 -
Export packaging guide – 7 considerations for international shipping
If your business ships your products outside the UK, you’ll already know the importance of suitable export packaging. But what if you are looking to begin exporting, or…
12th January, 2024 -
7 advantages of using wooden export crates (and 5 disadvantages)
If your business produces heavy, large or bulky items, should you consider wooden export crates for safely and securely shipping your products?
4th January, 2024 -
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