Your Trusted Factory Systems Integration Partner
Our Story
Xact Control is part of Lawtons Ltd, a business with a trading history that spans more than 80 years. Originally operating as part of the Rexel Group, the company became independent around 45 years ago. It was during this period that Lawtons established itself as the UK partner and sole distributor for Giro net packing systems and Matthews marking systems, laying the foundations for long-term involvement in packaging, coding, and marking.
Our Valued Clients
Our Valued Partners
Over the following decades, we built a strong presence in both the fresh produce packaging sector and the coding and marking industry. Along the way, we developed partnerships with a wide range of equipment manufacturers, including Nemesis, Irta, Frutmac, Reisopack, Upmann, and Serfruit, among others. These partnerships gave us a deep understanding of how production lines operate in real-world environments.
As our experience grew, so did the challenges our customers brought to us.
From Equipment to Automation
With our knowledge of production processes and coding technologies, customers began asking for help beyond hardware. They wanted solutions to improve compliance, reduce errors, simplify audits, manage recalls, and improve overall line efficiency.
Common frustrations came up again and again, particularly within food and beverage manufacturing. Equipment from different suppliers didn’t communicate well with each other. Manual processes introduced avoidable errors. Date coding and packaging mistakes caused delays, waste, and compliance risks.
In response, we began developing our own software solutions. The aim was simple: automate manual processes that were creating inefficiencies and compliance issues, and give manufacturers greater control and visibility across their lines.
This work led directly to the launch of Xact Control.
Expanding Beyond Food And Beverage
While the original focus was on food and beverage production, it quickly became clear that these challenges were not industry specific. Over the past ten years, Xact Control has expanded to support manufacturers across a wider range of sectors.
Today, our systems help manufacturers to:
Generate and verify labels and date codes
Improve coding and marking verification
Automate audit compliance with system-generated reports
Move to paperless quality checks
Integrate with ERP systems
Automate machine start-up and line checks
The goal remains the same, reducing risk, improving efficiency, and giving teams confidence in what’s leaving the production line.
Our Location
Xact Control, Xact Prepack, and Xact Coding & Marking operate from a purpose-built facility on Gibraltar Row in Liverpool city centre. We moved to this site in 2016, following a short relocation from our former offices on Vauxhall Road, where the business had been based for more than 60 years. We also operate an additional site approximately a mile and a half away on Commercial Road.
Being based in Liverpool offers real advantages. The city provides strong transport links across the UK and internationally, while still allowing large commercial businesses to operate centrally. Combined with engineers based around the country, this means we can offer fast, practical support wherever it’s needed.
Support That Fits Manufacturing Reality
We provide 24/7 support and work closely with our customers’ teams to understand their challenges. From initial integration through to long-term use, we focus on making sure our systems fit seamlessly into existing production environments and continue to deliver value over time.
Accreditations and Memberships
We hold a number of recognised accreditations and industry memberships, reflecting our commitment to quality, safety, and responsible business practices:
Looking Forward
As we continue to support our existing customers, we are also welcoming new customers both nationally and internationally. Manufacturing is entering a period of rapid change, with developments such as Industry 4.0 and 5.0, AI-driven systems, and the transition to GS1 QR codes creating new challenges and opportunities.
Xact Control is committed to helping manufacturers navigate these changes with confidence, combining practical experience, reliable technology, and long-term partnership.
