C.E.King Limited
At C.E.King Limited, we take pride in our rich heritage and enduring commitment to innovation in the packaging machinery industry. Since our founding in 1945, we have been at the forefront of designing and manufacturing cutting-edge packaging equipment that serves a wide range of industries across the globe. From humble beginnings as a general engineering company in London to becoming a global leader in packaging solutions, our journey is marked by groundbreaking innovations, a relentless focus on quality, and an unwavering dedication to meeting the evolving needs of our customers. Below, we invite you to explore the history that has shaped C.E.King into the company it is today.
Founding and Early Growth (1945-1960s)
C.E.King Limited was founded in 1945 by Charles E. King as a general engineering company based in Central London. In 1958, the company revolutionised the packaging industry by developing its first packaging machine - a tablet counting unit. Just a year later, in 1959, King introduced the world-renowned TB4 tablet counter, a product that significantly expanded its reach into export markets.
Throughout the 1960s, King expanded its portfolio with groundbreaking machinery, including the first cotton wool inserting machine (1960), the first capping machine (1963), and the first liquid filling machine (1968). In 1969, the company relocated to a larger facility in Chertsey to accommodate its growing operations.
Technological Expansion and International Success (1970s–1980s)
The 1970s marked a period of rapid research and development for C.E.King. The company diversified its machine range to include multi-head and bench rotary fillers, inline fillers, capping, labeling, and ancillary equipment. During this period, King also acquired a second facility in Staines to house its growing in-house manufacturing base.
In the 1980s, King introduced the Technofill electronic liquid filler, which became the company’s flagship product for liquid filling operations. By 1984, King machines had been sold in over 100 countries, a testament to its strong international presence. In 1987, C.E.King became a founding member of the Processing and Packaging Machinery Association (PPMA), further establishing its influence within the industry.
Innovation and Industry Leadership (1990s)
In the 1990s, C.E.King continued to innovate with the introduction of the modular Kingfisher liquid filling range (1990) and the multi-channel tablet counters (1993). The company reached new financial milestones, receiving its first order exceeding £1,000,000 in 1994. By the end of the decade, C.E.King had built a reputation for engineering high-speed, efficient, and reliable packaging machinery.
A New Era: DT Industries (1999–2003)
In 1999, C.E.King became part of the DT Industries Packaging Group, operating as DT King. This era saw King positioned within a global network that included DT Kalish, DT Lakso, DT Merrill, DT Stokes, and DT Swiftpack. The group shared engineering and manufacturing resources, enabling innovative packaging solutions for a diverse range of industries including healthcare, pharmaceutical, personal care, automotive, and agro-chemical sectors. With facilities across the U.S., U.K., Germany, Holland, Puerto Rico, and China, DT Industries employed around 3,000 people, providing cutting-edge packaging solutions to clients in over 130 countries.
A Legacy of Excellence (2000s–Today)
In 2000, King relocated to a modern manufacturing facility in Camberley, Surrey. In 2020, we further expanded and relocated to Trade City at the Brooklands Business Park in Brooklands, Surrey, a site steeped in history as the world’s first purpose-built motor racing circuit and a hub of British innovation in both motorsport and aviation. Brooklands has been home to many technological breakthroughs, including pioneering efforts in aviation and being the venue for the first British Grand Prix in 1926. Today, C.E.King Limited continues to offer innovative packaging solutions, specialising in liquid filling and tablet counting machines. The company provides a range of packaging equipment, including cap closing, unscrambling machines, and cotton wool inserting systems, which form the core of its packaging lines. King also integrates third-party packaging equipment to provide fully comprehensive packaging systems.
Continuing Innovation and Customer-Centric Approach
C.E.King Limited’s reputation for high quality, excellent customer support, and long-term reliability has solidified its position as a leader in the packaging industry. King continues to offer a complete range of services, from installation and commissioning to training, preventative maintenance, and validation support. Whether it’s a small benchtop liquid filling machine or a fully integrated multi-million-pound packaging line, C.E.King remains committed to delivering tailored solutions that meet the evolving needs of its customers.
Legacy and Services
King continues to support its legacy models, offering spare parts and service manuals for machines such as the King TB4 tablet counter, CF100 cottoner, KT341 bottle filler, TC8 and TC12 capsule counters, SC6L slat counter and slat filler, among others. This commitment to supporting legacy machines reflects the company’s ongoing dedication to its customers, ensuring that King equipment continues to operate efficiently for years to come.