Huhtamaki Investing in New Capacity in Northern Ireland

As part of its growth strategy, Huhtamaki, Finland, is investing in new capacity at its molded fiber packaging manufacturing unit in Lurgan, Northern Ireland. The total investment is approximately GBP 5 million. Machinery installation is expected to be completed in early 2016.

The Lurgan unit, which has been manufacturing molded fiber packaging such as egg cartons, egg trays, and cup carriers for 80 years, is expanding its manufacturing capacity to meet the needs of the growing egg market in the U.K. and Ireland. The new equipment will also enable Huhtamaki to expand its product range within the molded fiber sector.

"We have expanded our product range and improved our operational efficiency in the U.K. during the past years. More importantly, we've been able to differentiate ourselves from our competitors, offering real value and service to our customers. With this new, state-of-the-art machinery, we invest in the future growth and in serving our customers better," said Petr Domin, interim EVP, molded fiber.

 

Huhtamaki has 16,700 employees across 69 manufacturing units and 23 sales offices worldwide, within three business areas—foodservice packaging, flexible packaging, and molded fiber packaging. In the U.K., Huhtamaki has three manufacturing units: a molded fiber packaging site in Lurgan and two foodservice packaging sites situated in Gosport and Blackburn.

The Lurgan site employs more than 200 people and has been manufacturing molded fiber packaging such as egg cartons, egg trays, and cup carriers for 80 years. In November 2015, Huhtamaki announced an investment to develop and expand its foodservice packaging manufacturing unit in Gosport, U.K.