The site, near Flint in North Wales, features new in-line packaging production equipment, the latest rotogravure and flexo printing machines.and a new prototype research facility.
“Excelsior is commissioning state-of-the-art in-line packaging production machines including nine of the latest multi-colour, high-speed, wide-web rotogravure and flexo printing machines,” a company spokesman told FoodProductionDaily.com.
“The dedicated research, design, development and prototyping facility will allow the testing of new lines of flexible packs and pouches including microwaveable steam packs for frozen foods, ready meals and fresh produce,” he continued.
Constructed with about £1m of funding from the Welsh Assembly Government’s Single Investment Fund, the new packaging facility is expected to create about 200 jobs.
Packaging industry
The company’s managing director Dave Moorcroft said: “At a time when some high visibility names in the packaging industry are deserting the UK, we have put our faith and our money in the outstanding skills and technologies which we have nurtured here and which have attracted customers from as far a field as China and Japan, the USA and South Africa.”
Excelsior sold more than a billion packs last year and the new site in Flintshire will increase capacity further, said the company. The new site also achieves the international standard in quality management – ISO 9001 / 2008 - as well as holding the BRC/IOP Standard for clean manufacturing.
Moorcroft was keen to stress the site’s green credentials. “One great advantage of a site such as this is the fact we can set the standard as high as it comes in terms of quality and environmental care,” he said. “Our new facility has state-of-the-art environmental protection at every stage of the process. We know how critical this has become to the big brands and retailers who now have to be fully transparent in the way they bring products to their customers.”
Research and development
Ieuan Wyn Jones, minister for the economy and transport, said: “I am delighted the Assembly Government has been able to support Excelsior Technologies expand their operations in Wales. This investment will increase the company’s capacity and will also ensure that their Welsh operation becomes an important centre for research and development into new products.”
Excelsior is closing its printing and manufacturing operations in Salford and transferring staff to its new Deeside plant.
The company’s film extrusion facility in Nelson, Lancashire, which provides film feedstock for the new site, will remain in operation.