WIREDGOV

In March last year the company – which manufactures a range of food packaging products for major global clients – announced that it would make an £18 million investment over five years in its Blackwood facility, creating 73 new jobs and safeguarding more than 100 existing jobs.

The project is being backed with £5.4 million business finance from the Welsh Government.

The First Minister met with the Italian Ambassador, Mr Pasquale Q Terracciano, and Group CEO, Antonio D’Amato, to see the progress that has been made so far on the project – including investment in new plant and machinery – and to learn more about planned developments.

The First Minister said:

"I’m delighted that the Welsh Government has been able to support Seda UK since it moved to Wales in 2004, including this latest phase of growth and investment.

"The £18 million project is creating and safeguarding a significant number of jobs and providing real benefits to the local community. It is also enabling this world leading company to expand even further and meet the growing demand for its wide range of products."

Seda UK, based in Wales, is a subsidiary of the family owned Seda International Packaging Group SpA, which has twelve manufacturing plants around the world. The latest project was won by Seda UK against stiff competition from other European manufacturing companies.

Managing Director, Lorenzo Angelucci said:

"It is an enormous honour for us to welcome First Minister, Carwyn Jones, here at Seda UK, together with the Italian Ambassador, Pasquale Terracciano, and our Group President and CEO, Antonio D’Amato.  We are extremely proud of this opportunity; it is confirmation of the strong relations we have created within Wales, and of the significant success and growth the company has achieved in recent years.  This will continue, thanks to the commitment of Seda Group to invest in Wales, and the support we receive from the Welsh Government and local authorities."

The company has so far invested £9 million in the Blackwood facility as part of the current project.

The Blackwood plant produces a vast range of paper cups, containers, plastic lids for hot and cold drinks, dairy products and folding cartons. The facility also has a full-scale graphic design department and a Research and Development centre.