Huhtamaki to expand its factory in Paris, fueling growth in North America

NORTH AMERICA – Sustainable packaging company Huhtamaki has announced an investment in its factory in Texas, strengthening its presence in North America.

The investment consists of an expansion of its manufacturing capacity as well as a consolidation of an external warehouse.

The investment into production assets is approximately US$30 million, and the warehouse and manufacturing facility will be leased.

This will significantly increase the North American business segment’s capacity in folding cartons to support the growth of the Foodservice business.

Production is expected to start ramping up in Q1 2025 and will be key to servicing the growth of existing customers and a growing list of up-and-coming customers throughout the Southern and Midwestern states.

The Paris facility is uniquely positioned to meet the increased demand in the U.S. for more innovative and sustainable folding cartons which provide convenient, safe and hygienic food for busy consumers. The site is expected to employ up to 80 employees within the first three years.

Ann O’Hara, President, Huhtamaki North America said: “This expansion scales up our core business to support the continued growth of our U.S. foodservice customers.

“The Paris plant will be key in helping the company achieve its 2030 strategy for Customer Excellence by meeting the demand for folding cartons across the region.”

Huhtamaki currently employs approximately 4,100 people across 18 manufacturing units in North America – 17 in the United States and 1 in Mexico – and is an industry-leading manufacturer of packaging for consumer-packaged goods, as well as tableware, cups, folding cartons, containers, carriers, trays and service ware for the foodservice industry and retail market.

The decision to further invest in North America is in line with Huhtamaki’s 2030 strategy to deliver profitable growth by scaling its core business through three technologies, paperboard, flexibles and fiber.

Early last month, the company announced its decision to consolidate the production footprint of its Flexible Packaging segment in Europe and will be closing its Flexible Packaging production facility in Prague, Czech Republic.

The Finnish consumer packaging company will scale down all the production and supporting activities at the facility during the second half of 2023. The closure of the operations is expected to be completed by 31 March 2024.

The move will impact all 198 workers at the location. During this period, Huhtamaki will assist its staff members, especially by informing them of job openings at other Huhtamaki locations in the Czech Republic and around Europe.

For all the latest packaging and printing industry news from Africa and the World, subscribe to our NEWSLETTER, follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn, like us on Facebook, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.