Elldex Packaging is set to upgrade and replace its existing manufacturing facilities with a new 5,000 square metre state-of-the-art factory in Christchurch’s Dakota Park.
Elldex Packaging is set to upgrade and replace its existing manufacturing facilities with a new 5,000 square metre state-of-the-art factory in Christchurch’s Dakota Park.
Divisional general manager Murray Hine says the factory will be the first purpose-built flexible packaging facility constructed in New Zealand for many years. The decision to build the factory was driven by business growth, combined with the rigorous compliance demands of producing high-quality, food-grade flexible packaging.
“The set-up will enable Elldex to control quality and service at every stage of the manufacturing process,” says Mr Hine. “The suite of technologically advanced machinery will allow us to deliver the highest quality at competitive prices – and keep jobs local. We have around 100 skilled and dedicated staff at Elldex and it is important to remain based in Christchurch to retain that expertise.”
Mr Hine said an added benefit of Elldex’s cutting-edge equipment was the flexibility that could be offered to customers through customised specifications, smaller runs, shorter lead-times and quicker market response. “We’ll have the means for massive runs but we’ll also be able to deliver small, made-to-order jobs at competitive rates.”
Elldex’s innovative new equipment will be supplied by leading international manufacturers and includes a Windmoller & Holscher 3-layer co-extruder and 8-colour central impression printing press, a solventless laminator from Nordmeccanica, and from Cason, a high-speed, automatic slitter. Mr Hine says more progressive equipment will follow.
The factory is expected to be completed in the first half of the 2015 calendar year.
“With the support of our parent company, Hellaby Holdings, and an excellent opportunity offered to us at Dakota Park by Christchurch International Airport (CIAL), we expect to have this project scoped, planned and built within a twelve-month period,” says Mr Hine.
Dakota Park is the business and commercial estate developed by CIAL, and is positioned at the central gateway to Christchurch and the Canterbury region. With direct access to Christchurch Airport and State Highway 1, the park is designed to offer seamless connections to markets across New Zealand and around the world, ideal for the fast growing Elldex flexible packaging business.
About Elldex
Elldex Packaging Limited is an amalgamation of three flexible packaging businesses – Elldex, PPL and Chequer – purchased in 2003-2007 by Australasian investor Hellaby Holdings. Elldex sources, manufactures and distributes flexible plastic packaging to the supermarket, retail, industrial, horticultural, dairy, meat, seafood and processed food sectors across New Zealand and Australia. Elldex has an extrusion, printing and conversion plant in Christchurch and a head office in Auckland.
For further information contact: Murray Hine, divisional general manager, Elldex Packaging Limited
Tel: 09 414 3430, Email: [email protected]
