Graphic Packaging International scales fiber-based solutions operations to meet rising demand

17 Jan 2023 --- Graphic Packaging International (GPI) is moving its beverage packaging manufacturing operations in Bristol, UK, to a new, state-of-the-art facility nearby. The company states the move is part of its long-term commitment to generating more beverage packaging to meet rising consumer demand.

The new facility will be 23,690 square feet, making it twice the size of the current Fishponds, UK area base. The new location is being made in response to the growing global demand for fiber packaging. 

Once fully operational in the fourth quarter of 2023, the new facility will be one of the largest and “most technologically advanced” folding carton plants in Europe due to its expanded and improved production capabilities. The new facility will also house an innovation center to further sharpen the company’s innovation and development capabilities.

“This major investment at our Bristol facility is exciting news for our customers and employees. It strengthens our commitment to the UK and European beverage packaging markets for decades to come,” says Martin Sheppard, managing director of beverages at EMEA.

GPI moves its main beverage manufacturing operations from Fishponds to Bristol, UK. Bristol facility to increase production
The new facility will create up to 30 new jobs, and GPI's customers will be invited to view the progress of the new facility at various stages as it nears completion, says the company,  

“When the move to the new site is complete, the increased capacity and capabilities will enable us to offer more sustainable packaging innovations to our customers,” says Glyn Champion, UK sales director of beverages at GPI.

The news follows the success of the GPI’s team in Bristol, which won two awards at the Bristol Live Business Awards. The double gold came in the “Large Business of the Year” and “Manufacturer of the Year” categories in recognition of the plant’s contribution to its employees, the local economy and the manufacturing sector as a whole.

“It has been some exceptional years for our Bristol facility, and we look forward to making an even greater impact on our local economy in 2023 with the relocation of our facility to a significantly larger site – a relocation that will create many new jobs. This increase in capacity means that the future for our Bristol business is very bright,” adds Sheppard.

Many of GPI’s key innovations have been developed at the Bristol facility, including the multi-award-winning KeelClip, a fiber-based beverage multipack solution used by some of the world’s largest beverage brands. GPI’s move to Bristol comes as a commitment to the increasing beverage product demand in the UK and Europe.

Growing beverage industry 
Recently, GPI released the results of a poll commissioned by the association to measure attitudes toward glass sustainability. The survey found that US consumers prefer glass packaging due to its environmental benefits and are inclined to shape their purchasing behavior accordingly. 

Ninety-two percent of respondents said they would feel positively toward a company that offered more glass packaging because of its lower environmental impact than other materials; 76% of respondents were familiar with the fact that glass is infinitely recyclable, versus less than a quarter (24%) who were hearing about it for the first time. 

More than half of respondents (58%) said knowing that glass was infinitely recyclable could make them change their purchasing behavior. Meanwhile, 73% of respondents wished more companies offered their F&B products in glass packaging. 

Edited by Sabine Waldeck 

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