Huhtamaki North America, De Soto, Kansas, USA, this week announced plans to open a new manufacturing and distribution center in Goodyear, Ariz., to serve west coast foodservice packaging and retail tableware markets. When completed, the 750,000-sq.-ft. facility will produce paper drink cups, insulated hot cups, food containers, pressed paperboard plates, and thermoformed plastic cups and lids. 

The company expects capital investment at the site to exceed $100 million during the next two years and result in the creation of approximately 300 jobs. The investment will cover building modifications, infrastructure, and equipment installation. Goodyear, Ariz. is located 19 miles west of downtown Phoenix and within one day delivery of major markets in southern California.

"This is a further investment in our strategy to serve the foodservice packaging and retail tableware markets with core products," said Clay Dunn, EVP, Huhtamaki North America. "The new facility will expand our footprint and will build off of the success of our earlier expansions. The facility will not only grow our capacity, but improve our distribution capability in the region." 

Huhtamaki will start using the facility as a distribution center in early 2017. Construction of infrastructure is expected to begin in Q2 2017. Commercial production is scheduled to begin in late 2017 and ramp up in 2018/2019. The facility was purchased from Cohen Asset Management, Inc.

 

 

"This open format space will provide the capability to build another world class asset," Fred Betzen, Huhtamaki North America VP of operations, said. "This facility gives us the ability to continue on our path of building 21st century work environments that are good for our customers, employees, and communities. We are very excited for this expansion and looking forward to the growth it will create for our company."

Government officials in the Goodyear area have let their approval be known. "I am thrilled that Huhtamaki has selected Arizona as the ideal location to establish a new facility that will advance their business objectives," said Arizona Governor Doug Ducey. "Arizona continues to attract advanced manufacturing companies seeking growth due to our exceptional talent, modern infrastructure, and advantageous geographic location. This project will create hundreds of new jobs for Arizona citizens, and I thank Huhtamaki for their investment in our state."

Georgia Lord, mayor of the city of Goodyear, added that "I am extremely pleased to welcome Huhtamaki to our community. The decision by Huhtamaki to make a large investment in our community continues to prove Goodyear is an excellent location for advanced manufacturing businesses. Our highly skilled workforce, excellent transportation systems, and low cost of doing business has created an environment where companies can thrive. We look forward to working with Huhtamaki and very much appreciate their employment of citizens in our community."

Huhtamaki North America is a manufacturer of consumer goods packaging as well as tableware, cups, folding cartons, containers, carriers, trays, and service ware for the foodservice industry and retail markets. The company employs approximately 3,600 people in 17 manufacturing units. The parent company, Huhtamaki Oyj, has its head office in Espoo, Finland.