22/05/2019

100 Jobs At Antrim Huhtamaki Factory

A new factory that will manufacture paper straws for McDonalds is set to open in Antrim, as part of a £12 million investment that will create 100 new jobs.

Huhtamaki's newest facility at Kilbegs Business Park is one of three in Northern Ireland, bringing the amount of people employed in the region by the global packaging specialist to 560.

The Antrim plant will operate solely as a dedicated paper straw making site, producing straws for the fast-food giant McDonalds, with future product range expansion planned.

The first wave of manufacturing equipment will be taken into use during 2019 and further investments in additional manufacturing equipment are planned for 2020-2022.

Ciaran Doherty, General Manager for Huhtamaki Foodservice in Northern Ireland said: "At Huhtamaki we are continuously looking for ways to improve the environmental performance of our products and to introduce new, more sustainable packaging innovations.

"The launch of our paper straws is a good example of this. We are extremely proud to support our customers in their strategy to have a more sustainable and environmentally responsible supply chain by opening this new site."

Huhtamaki paper straws are made with new, purpose-built machinery to deliver a premium product. 100% of the paper used for the straws and wrapping come from sustainably managed forests. Huhtamaki plans to expand paper straw manufacturing to further manufacturing units in Europe during 2019.

Invest NI is supporting the development.



(JG)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

27 February 2024
Four Men Sentenced Over Co Antrim ATM Thefts
Four men have been sentenced in connection with a series of ATM thefts in the County Antrim area over four years ago. The investigation related to a number of ATM thefts between 27th October 2018 and 6th December 2019, including the theft of two cash machines at a supermarket on Castle Way in Antrim.
27 February 2024
The Gobbins To Benefit From £13.6m Investment
Mid and East Antrim Council has welcomed the news of new investment funding of almost £13.6 million for the development of The Gobbins. Ambitious plans for The Gobbins include a 60m-high panoramic stepway, upgrades to the clifftop path, the development of a new Welcome Hub, and improved visitor features.
13 February 2024
NI Fastest Growing UK Region For New Companies
Northern Ireland was the fastest-growing region of the UK for newly registered companies in 2023, according to a new index from Ulster Bank and Beauhurst. The New Startup Index highlights how in 2023 Northern Ireland gained 14,000 new companies, a 59% increase on 2022.
19 January 2024
Antrim And Newtownabbey Council Launches New Enterprise Support Service
Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has announced that a new NI enterprise support service is now live across the Borough, The service 'Go Succeed' aims to offer entrepreneurs, start-ups, and existing businesses throughout the Borough valuable guidance and financial support.
21 March 2024
BCC Unveils Refreshed Strategic Plan For Belfast City Centre
New plans to support the most vulnerable in Belfast while growing the economy, regenerating neighbourhoods and achieving climate targets have been published in a refreshed strategic plan for the city. First published in 2017, the Belfast Agenda set out joint vision for the city up to 2035.