James Cropper turns generational papermaking expertise into a strategic barrier against automation

The specialty paper industry often measures its strength through metrics easily captured on a spreadsheet: production speeds, machine widths, and energy costs. However, James Cropper plc is pivoting the industrial conversation toward an intangible but critical asset. Coinciding with the release of its new documentary, The Last Mill Standing, the company’s Managing Director of Paper & Packaging, Paul Barber, has outlined a strategic vision that places generational papermaking knowledge at the core of its competitive defense.

Operating as the United Kingdom’s last remaining specialist colored paper mill, the Burneside-based manufacturer is confronting a sector increasingly dominated by artificial intelligence and automated process controls. While James Cropper acknowledges the role of digitalization in modern packaging, Barber’s latest industrial reflection, published on October 27, 2026, argues that the highest tiers of specialty paper production still depend heavily on physical, cumulative human experience.

The limits of automated papermaking

In his address, Barber highlights that a historic paper mill functions as a repository of specialized knowledge. The ability to read unpredictable fiber behavior on the wire and formulate complex colors beyond standard digital matching requires an intuitive understanding built over decades. This expertise, accumulated over the company's 180-year history, forms a competitive moat that cannot be easily replicated by simply purchasing new machinery or software.

The documentary, The Last Mill Standing, serves as a vehicle to demonstrate how this technical capability is preserved and transferred between generations of papermakers. Rather than treating this workforce experience as a legacy overhead, James Cropper is positioning it as a commercially valuable tool for developing bespoke materials for global brands.

A commercial turnaround built on expertise

This focus on human capital is not merely a theoretical exercise; it underpins a broader commercial transformation at the company. Since Barber took the helm of the division in March 2025, James Cropper has navigated significant market headwinds, including the loss of major commodity volumes. By leveraging its deep knowledge base in fiber selection and color formulation, the company successfully pivoted toward value-added sectors.

The financial results for the year ending March 2026 validate this strategy. The group reported a 3.6 percent increase in revenue to £102.9 million, while adjusted EBITDA surged by 33 percent to £8.9 million. Net debt was also significantly reduced. By treating generational knowledge as a dynamic, two-way current tested constantly against client demands, James Cropper has proven that human expertise remains one of the most resilient barriers to entry in the specialty paper market.