Winterthur, Switzerland-based Greatview Aseptic Packaging (GA Pack), the second largest supplier of roll-fed aseptic packaging material in the world, invests 50 million Euro to build a European production facility in Halle (Saale), Germany.The new production site marks an important milestone in the company’s international growth strategy. The facility will create approximately 110 new positions for the local economy.
Committed to providing leading dairy and non-carbonated soft drink producers with customised, high quality and competitively priced aseptic packaging material, GA Pack has already established its footprint as the number one alternative supplier in the world’s largest and most important growth market for roll-fed aseptic packaging, China. With the new factory in Germany, GA Pack takes the next step in its international business development. The company follows a dedicated strategy of growing international markets.
Peder Berggren, Director, International Business at GA Pack, said, “With the new facility, we are significantly expanding our activities in Europe and thus the penetration of the largest regional market for aseptic packaging in the world. This commitment helps us grow our market share, further broaden our customer mix and capture part of the rapid growth in the international aseptic packaging market”. The European plant will also provide additional capacity for export to the Middle East, North and South America. According to Peder Berggren, GA Pack sees the potential and the customer demand to grow the facilities over time: “This is a long-term commitment to the dairy and beverage industry, the region and to Europe in general. We are here to stay, and to offer the liquid food industry a choice that creates real value.”
Halle was chosen for its optimal mix of competitive location factors, as Peder Berggren explains: “The production site offers excellent railroad connections and motorway access, and is located conveniently close to Leipzig airport. Also, a great number of professionals live in the area. What won us over, though, were the authorities of Sachsen-Anhalt and Halle, who have shown great professionalism and eagerness to win this project. They have made it very clear from the start that together, we can create a win-win-situation.”
The production of aseptic packaging material in Germany is scheduled to start in 2012. The factory in Halle is expected to have an annual production capacity of approximately 4 billion packs by the end of 2013, and offer workplaces for at least 110 skilled employees.
