Huhtamaki, the Finnish-based consumer packaging specialist has inaugurated a new facility in Siemianowice, Poland.
Employing more than 400 persons, the new facility manufactures rigid paper and plastic packaging for the food industry, food service operators and fresh foods distribution. Built to meet quality, hygiene and safety standards, the Polish facility will serve the country's top names particularly in the dairy, edible fat and ice cream segments, as well as the leaders in quick service, beverage and retail.
The new facility replaces Huhtamaki's original Siemianowice plant, which was badly damaged by fire in late 2000. Huhtamaki's smaller Polish unit in Chelmek has been relocated to the site. A newly finished separate building houses an automated Logistics Center and a new production line for expanded polystyrene (EPS) products. The company said that total investment in Siemianowice amounted to €30 million.
"Poland has been an important growth driver for us, and will be in the future as well", said Huhtamaki's CEO Timo Peltola. "With Poland's membership in the EU, the exports of processed and fresh foods are likely to take off in a big way," Peltola commented.
"Our location in Siemianowice, southern Poland, is excellent. From here we can easily serve also other important markets such as Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Russia, the Ukraine and Germany," general manager Zbigniew Woznica from Poland pointed out.
The inauguration of the new facility coincided with the tenth anniversary of Huhtamaki's manufacturing presence in Poland. The first production line was started in June 1993.
"Due to rapid help from several sister units, the devastating fire almost three years ago did not cause significant disruptions in customer service. Our employees went beyond the call of duty, helping to keep business running in very demanding conditions," said GM Zbgniew Woznica, who heads the new Huhtamaki facility.