A new $100 million project in Arizona will include production of thermoformed plastic cups and lids as well as a variety of paper products.
Huhtamaki North America unveiled plans Sept. 19 for the new manufacturing and distribution location for foodservice packaging and retail tableware in Goodyear, near Phoenix, to serve the Southwest and West Coast.
The subsidiary of Huhtamaki Oyj of Espoo, Finland, a global packaging company that also has a big presence in flexible packaging, said the new location will create about 300 jobs.
“The new facility will expand our footprint and will build off the success of our earlier expansions. The facility will not only grow our capacity, but improve our distribution capacity in the region,” said Clay Dunn, executive vice president of Huhtamaki North America, in a statement.
The 750,000-square-foot project, using an existing structure, will begin distribution early next year. Infrastructure work is slated to begin during the second quarter, and commercial production is expected for late next year, the company said.
“This facility gives us the ability to continue on our path of building 21st century work environments that are good for our customers, employees and communities,” said Fred Betzen, vice president of operations for Huhtamaki North America, in a statement.
Along with making plastic cups and lids in Arizona, Huhtamaki said the site also will manufacture paper drink cups, insulated hot cups, food containers and pressed paperboard plates.
Huhtamaki owns the well-known Chinet product line, maybe best known for its paper products, but which also includes a wide variety of plastic goods. The company, additionally, offers its own StrongHolder brand line of plastic cups, plates and bowls as well as private label plastic cups, cutlery, plates and bowls.