Huhtamaki, Finland, is investing approximately EUR 11 million to have a new manufacturing facility built in Hämeenlinna, Finland. Manufacturing operations will be transferred from the current facility that was built in the 1960's to a new, modern facility. Construction work is planned to begin during spring 2018 and the new facility is expected to begin operations in spring 2019. The majority of the investment takes place during 2018.

 

"Today's busy, on-the-go lifestyle increases demand for takeaway foods and drinks. This creates growth opportunities for us, and with the investment we are better able to capture those," said Maisa Katila, GM for Huhtamaki Foodservice Nordics.

As part of the investment, the Hämeenlinna unit's machine base will also be partially renewed and automation will be increased. Competitiveness will also be improved by designing the new facility according to Lean manufacturing principles and improving the flow of goods and minimizing unnecessary traffic within production. Modernization of the manufacturing facility will also improve workplace safety and ergonomics.

"Hämeenlinna is a good location for our manufacturing unit. We have skilled and experienced employees here and we source our main raw material from nearby. With the new facility, we can serve our customers in the Nordic and Baltic countries even better," said GM Katila.

Huhtamaki is a global specialist in packaging for food and drink. With its network of 78 manufacturing units and an additional 24 sales-only offices in altogether 34 countries, the company is well placed to support its customers' growth wherever they operate. Mastering three distinctive packaging technologies, approximately 17,600 employees develop and make packaging that helps products reach more people, more easily. In 2016 the compay’s net sales totaled EUR 2.9 billion.