Celebrating 25 Years of Valley Northern: A Legacy of Innovation and Excellence

Posted in: About Valley Northern 1st April 2025

 

This year marks a momentous occasion for Valley Northern as we celebrate 25 years of dedication, innovation, and exceptional service in the pharmacy packaging industry. Our journey has been one of passion, resilience, and continuous improvement, always striving to meet the needs of our customers and the healthcare sector.

Our Roots: Where It All Began

Our story traces back to the 1950s when Mr. David Pittock, after serving in the National Service, began his career in pharmacy as a dispenser in London. With an entrepreneurial spirit, he joined John Wyeth drug company as a medical representative in 1958, laying the groundwork for what would become a thriving business.

In 1972, with a growing family to support, David took a leap of faith and started his own business, selling sundries to pharmacies from his home in Valley Road—thus, Valley Sundries was born! As demand grew, we expanded into packaging, purchasing and converting a food factory into a warehouse. By the late 1980s, Valley Sundries had outgrown multiple premises, and David’s sons, Clive and Oliver, joined as partners, further strengthening the family business.

The Birth of Valley Northern

The 1990s saw remarkable innovation, with our team designing and developing a glove and apron dispenser in collaboration with NHS staff and infection control nurses. As Oliver relocated to Staffordshire to expand our reach in the North, a pivotal decision was made in 2000—to establish Valley Northern, a company solely dedicated to pharmacy packaging.

Recognizing the need for faster and more efficient delivery, we introduced next-day service as a standard in 2002, a game-changer in the industry. Our product range, team, and customer base grew rapidly, and by 2003, Oliver’s sons, Dale and Adrian, joined the company, infusing it with youthful energy and vision.

Listening, Learning, and Leading the Industry

At Valley Northern, we’ve always believed in listening to our customers. In 2003, pharmacists expressed the need for ready-capped bottles, an entirely new concept at the time. We delivered—and it took off! We also transformed the industry-standard green-striped pharmacy bags, collaborating with the NHS and pharmacists to create a clearer, smarter design that is now the norm.

Our commitment to innovation didn’t stop there. From acquiring and merging with businesses like Valley Pharmaceutical Packaging and Hibberts of Luton to expanding our facilities multiple times—including a move to a massive 28,000 sq. ft. premises in 2010—we have continually evolved to serve our customers better.

Pioneering Excellence and Supporting Healthcare

Valley Northern went limited in 2014, solidifying our growth trajectory. Our passion for patient safety led to the development of printed tablet cartons in 2016, while our beloved company mascot, Harry, helped spread our customer-centric culture with the "We Do Give a Monkey’s" campaign in 2017 and beyond.

Through the years, we’ve embraced technology and customization, launching an online tool in 2018 to allow pharmacists to design their own packaging in real-time. We also introduced Caring Chloe in 2019 to work alongside Harry, reinforcing our commitment to customer care.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we were honoured to supply PPE dispensers to NHS Nightingale hospitals and healthcare facilities across the UK. In 2022, we achieved another industry first with the launch of our Controlled Drug Destruction Kit for liquid medication.

Looking to the Future

From our humble beginnings to becoming a leading name in pharmacy packaging, Valley Northern’s journey has been shaped by dedication, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to our customers. Today, we continue to grow, improve, and seek new ways to identify challenges and provide outstanding solutions.

As we celebrate 25 incredible years, we extend our deepest gratitude to our customers, employees, and partners who have been part of this journey. We’re on a roll, and we invite you to be part of the success as we forge ahead into an exciting future!

Here’s to the next 25 years and beyond—thank you for being part of our story!