Packaging firm invests £18M and creates 70 jobs

A south Wales food packaging firm is planning an £18M investment that will create 70 jobs and safeguard a further 170 roles.

Seda UK md Lorenzo Angelucci said that the money will be invested over five years, with more than one third spent in the first 18 months.

“We have secured additional contracts with major customers, which require additional capacity to be installed at our Blackwood site,” said Angelucci.

‘The opposite trend’

The firm’s target market - the foodservice business sector - continues to show moderate growth, which was “the opposite trend to what may be expected during the current economic downturn,” he said.

“People generally have less money to spend but still want to enjoy eating out, and also the food-chains have improved their offer range and quality, while offering a relatively low cost to the consumer.”

Seda’s expansion plan focused on building a new unit on a plot adjacent to the firm’s existing buildings.

Angelucci said its policy of sourcing locally where possible would benefit the local economy. He also thanked economy minister Edwina Hart for the Welsh Assembly’s support in winning the investment from its Naples-based parent company. “We have been competing with other European sites [owned by the parent company] to secure this investment here in Wales.

“We could not have achieved this without support from the Welsh Assembly, and for this I sincerely thank minister Edwina Hart and her team.”

Hart said: “Seda has continued to invest and expand in Wales with support from the Welsh government since it moved here in 2004. It employed 278 at the time of this grant application at its site in Hawtin Park, making a significant contribution to the local economy.

‘A significant number of jobs’

“This new project will safeguard and create a significant number of jobs over the next five years.”

Another key factor in winning the approval of the parent board, said Angelucci, was “the quality and commitment to success” of the UK team.

Seda UK specialises in manufacturing food packaging using rigid and flexible paper, and rigid and flexible plastic. It’s main business sectors are: ice cream, foodservice, confectionery and non food.

The firm’s sister plant in Italy produces sugar cones - including the Cornetto type of conic shaped biscuit – for ice-cream companies.

Founded in Naples 43 years ago, the Seda Group operated 12 manufacturing plants across the globe. Customers included big foodservice and firms serving the vending market.

Source: Seda UK