Wipak UK to invest £5m at Welshpool manufacturing site

Flexible packaging manufacturer, Wipak UK, has unveiled plans for a multi-million pound strategic investment to significantly enhance its capabilities and sustainable product offering.

Specialising in sophisticated, high barrier films for food products, the Welshpool-based manufacturing site is investing over £5m in state-of-the-art conversion equipment, which will produce flexible packaging solutions with significantly less plastic and a lower carbon footprint, which are easier to recycle.

The investment is the largest in Wipak UK’s history and is predicted to create more than 50 new jobs for the local area in the coming years.

Wipak UK has unveiled plans for a major, multi-million pound strategic investment at its Welshpool manufacturing facility / Picture: Wipak UK

Andrew Newbold, managing director of Wipak UK, said: “The new machinery is set to be in operation by summer 2021 and will be a game-changer for Wipak UK, giving us a unique value proposition for our existing and new customers. The sustainability pressures that we face are possibly the most complex that I have experienced in my 24 years in the flexible packaging industry.

“Wipak UK’s new conversion equipment is fully in-line with our promise to reduce our CO₂ footprint to zero and will allow us to develop real sustainable packaging solutions with real benefits for our customers, consumers and the environment.”

The investment project is also aligned with Wipak UK’s ambitious growth plans over the coming years.

Andrew added: “At a time when some packaging companies are consolidating their UK operations, Wipak UK is continuing to expand. We are part of the family-owned, European-based Wipak Group and this investment – which is the largest investment in Wipak UK’s history – gives a very clear message of the company’s commitment to the UK packaging market, belief in UK manufacturing capabilities and recognition of the hard work of our employees at our site in Welshpool.”