Corrugated group Rigid Containers has revealed multi-million pound plans to open a third UK site this April
The facility, in Wellington, Somerset, will initially open as a distribution centre but will, over the course of the year, be equipped with a range of converting machines.
The 20,000sqm site is being set up to serve Rigid’s growing customer base in the south west and will create up to 40 jobs when it opens, with the potential for many more later in the year.
Rigid managing director Richard Coward said: “At a time when the nation is struggling with poor levels of growth and investment, it is refreshing to have some good news.
“We are really optimistic about this new site in Wellington – not just for the benefit of our customers, but also for the local community.
“New jobs and local investment are critical for the nation at large and we are pleased to be playing our part in helping the overall recovery process for the economy.”
At first, the site will distribute packaging that has been manufactured at Rigid’s Selby and Desborough facilities, which have both recently gone through major upgrade programmes themselves.
Customers in the south west will be able to call off stock for just-in-time delivery.
But Rigid has outlined plans to then install a range of converting equipment at the site so that, by the end of the year, it will be able to produce a full range of cases, die cut containers and multi point glued products.
The equipment will be a mix of new kit bought specifically for the site and machines transferred from the other two facilities.
Sales and administration for the new site will be handled from the company’s headquarters in Desborough.
Julian Freeman, sales and marketing director at Rigid, said: “Rigid has positioned itself successfully as one of the most efficient stock & serve suppliers in the UK.
“All three sites will be controlled centrally and for customers, this means a continuation of our ‘single point of contact’ operating strategy. “We anticipate that our new four colour flexo folder gluer will be fitted with dryers, meaning we can print on the highest quality papers in the industry, which is particularly relevant for shelf ready packaging applications.”
Rigid Containers is part of the Belgian integrated group, VPK, which also operates plants in Belgium, Holland, France, Poland and Romania and has turnover of more than 600m.
