£12million investment and expansion launched at SEDA UK
SEDA UK has embarked on a four-year £12million investment programme that will result in a significant expansion, increase the capacity of its facility in South Wales and introduce new equipment and technology to the plant. The company produces a range of paper cups, lids and containers for fast food outlets, vending machines and the dairy sector.
Its Blackwood plant currently produces many millions of units a day and is a leading supplier of the UK specific market. An estimated five billion paper drinking cups and 4.5 billion lids are used in the UK a year.
The investment is supported by the Welsh Assembly Government through the Single Investment Fund and will create 26 new jobs and safeguard 145 of the existing 227 jobs. It is the second major investment undertaken by SEDA since the company opened its Welsh facility in 2004.
Managing director Lorenzo Angelucci said this latest investment would enable the plant to increase its cost competitiveness.
“It increases our capacity and capability which is important for the medium term development of the business. It means we can maintain our momentum and provide an even better service to customers.”
“Our Welsh operation is a great success and we are delighted to have secured this investment from our parent company with the assistance and support from the Welsh Assembly Government, which has been extremely effective and very welcome.”
SEDA has already invested £2.5m in a new production line for cartons and in a state of the art high quality high-speed printing machine.
Ieuan Wyn Jones, Minister for the Economy and Transport, said the investment was particularly welcome in the current economic climate.
“It will ensure the company retains its competitive edge and enable it to provide a one-stop-shop service to its blue chip clients. The Assembly Government supported the company’s initial decision to invest in Wales in 2004 and an expansion project it undertook in 2008, both of which have created jobs and made a significant impact on the local economy.”
SEDA is also supported through the Assembly Government’s Knowledge Bank for Business (K4B) programme that provides tailored and focused support for high growth companies across a range of sectors.
The SEDA Group is a leading privately owned European manufacturer of packaging and cartons, predominantly to the fast food, ice cream and dairy markets. It supplies major food manufacturers and suppliers, including McDonalds, Coca Cola, Nestlé and Unilever.
The business has grown from a small company in Naples in 1964 providing ice packaging, to eleven manufacturing plants in Europe employing nearly 2000 people.
- 16 March 2010 -
