FDBusiness.com

Beverage can maker Rexam has opened a new can manufacturing plant in Finland

Located in Mäntsälä in southern Finland, it is Rexam’s first plant in the country, which opened today (30 January) and represents an investment of about £68m over three years as part of the company’s current capital investment plans.

The new plant will employ around 100 local people.

The first of two planned production lines was officially opened at today’s inauguration by Graham Chipchase, Rexam’s chief executive.

On completion of a second line, scheduled for 2014, the plant will have a capacity of approximately 1.35bn 330ml and 500ml aluminium cans.

The Nordic market has shown good growth in recent years and Finland itself has experienced a steady transition from glass bottles to can fillings.

Commenting at the inauguration of the Mäntsälä plant, Graham Chipchase, said: “We are very proud today to open our new plant, and we are delighted to be able to take advantage of the exciting opportunities on offer in this region.

“We have seen a growing demand for beverage cans in Finland and the Baltic States, in particular the can’s share of the pack mix for beer in Finland, which has grown from 10% to 60% over the past five years.

“The investment supports our strategy for growth in a steadily expanding European market.  The new plant will allow us to serve our customers better in the region and enhance the overall efficiency of our network of beverage can plants across Europe.”