Alcan to build folding carton facility
its folding carton operation in Quebec, Canada, in an effort to
help optimizeits North American packaging business and better meet
its customers' needs in the personal care market, writes Simon
Pitman.
Thedecision follows the company's November 25, 2004 announcement to create a contractpackaging centre of excellence in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania in the United States.
"This decision will enable Alcan to extend its service to its customers by ensuringincreased flexibility and delivery turnaround time," said Christel Bories, Alcan Packaging CEO.
"By optimising our existing product mix anddedication in our plants, we will be able to better grow our packaging business overall,"she added.
Alcan Packaging's business group will move the printing processes from its Bethlehemsite to its Baie d'Urfé facility in Quebec. The move will create approximately 50 new jobs in variouspositions at Baie d'Urfé and is planned to be completed by the end of 2005.
The Contract Packaging and Specialty Cartons Business Unit presently employs over500 employees with manufacturing sites in Baie d'Urfé, Canada and in Bethlehem,Pennsylvania offering both folding carton and contract packaging services to theCanadian and the American pharmaceutical and personal care markets.
Alcan's packaging business has been performing well of late. Recently published third quarter results showed an increase in operating profit, despite historically high raw material prices. Alcan's packaging business group profit (BGP) for the third quarter was $162 million, up $73 million from the year-ago quarter.
The division is truly global, with more than 100 operations and accounting for more than $3.5 billion in annual revenues.
