Existing employees will move to The Foundation, a former Lloyd's Banking Group training centre to oversee sales, marketing, technical service, environment, communications, finance, HR and supply chain operations.
Downsizing
Steve Wyatt, MD, Tetra Pak UK & Ireland, told FoodProductionDaily the old facility was too big for its needs but it will be recruiting additional staff.
“Our 25 acre site in Wrexham was designed to house a manufacturing operation and the office buildings alone cover three times as much space as we now need, so the company will be moving to offices more suited to its current and future needs,” said Wyatt.
“We are in the process of recruiting a couple more roles and going forward we will recruit as our needs develop, which includes smaller, modern bespoke offices, that still provide access to major transport routes.
“Construction of the headquarters will be complete in the first two weeks of May and then we will start furnishing the building.”
Tetra Pak has been in north Wales for over 30 years, with 82 people employed on the site, and 17 of those at its distribution centre.
Big blow
At the time of the announcement, Ken Skates, Welsh Labour assembly member, said the closure of the plant was a big blow to the area.
In 2011, the firm cut 150 jobs from its Wrexham site but created 21 at a distribution centre.
Wyatt said the closure came because the firm was ‘operating in a rapidly changing business environment, where competition is increasing’.
"We need to ensure we compete more effectively,” he added.
Chester Business Quarter, where construction work has started is next to Chester Railway Station.
“All existing employees are relocating to the new site in Chester but Tetra Pak does have plans to continue recruiting for exciting roles within its business in the near future,” said Wyatt.
“Tetra Pak has been operating in the UK for almost 60 years and in that time, we have created game-changing packaging that has shaped the industry. Today, we work with many well-known brands and our move to Chester will help us better meet current and future needs. We are looking forward to the next chapter.”