Huhtamäki Oyj's subsidiary Huhtamaki, Inc. has purchased a manufacturing facility in Batavia, Ohio, in the United States to set up a new state-of-the-art manufacturing and distribution unit. With the purchase Huhtamaki continues its series of investments in expanding and strengthening its disposable product offering and capability in the United States. "With the investment we begin to fully leverage our paperboard packaging expertise and our global foodservice position also in the United States," says Jukka Moisio, CEO of Huhtamäki Oyj.
The total investment including the site purchase, improvements in infrastructure and machinery investments to set up capacity will be approximately USD 60 million (EUR 45 million). Majority of the investment will take place in 2013. Huhtamaki plans to begin operations in Batavia during the second half of 2013 and expects to create approximately 200 jobs by the end of 2016.
The site is strategically located in Batavia, Ohio, with excellent rail and highway access and proximity to major foodservice markets. The optimal location of the site will enable Huhtamaki to better serve its U.S. foodservice and retail customers.
"By setting up this world class disposables manufacturing unit in Batavia we are creating a platform to expand operations as we grow," says Clay Dunn, executive vice president, North America. "In addition to building a plant with optimal material and workflows we will be able to optimize the product range in existing manufacturing units. Our initial focus in Batavia will be on paper cups which are the core of Huhtamaki's global foodservice offering," he continued.
Huhtamaki Group is a leading manufacturer of consumer and specialty packaging with 2011 net sales totaling EUR 2 billion. Foodservice and consumer goods markets are served by approximately 14,000 people in 64 manufacturing units and several sales offices in 31 countries. The parent company, Huhtamäki Oyj, has its head office in Espoo, Finland and its share is quoted on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Ltd. Additional information is available at www.huhtamaki.com.