Huhtamaki Continues US Expansion Opening New Facility at Old Ford Plant

Huhtamaki Continues US Expansion Opening New Facility at Old Ford Plant

Feb. 6, 2013
“Today’s announcement caps an exciting 18-month period, in which we completed three acquisitions and added seven production facilities in the U.S to expand our ability to offer customers a broad product line and coast-to-coast coverage from 17 North American plants,” said Clay Dunn, president of Huhtamaki North America.

Huhtamaki of Finland, a manufacturer of consumer and specialty packaging and a unit of Huhtamaki Oyj, announced on Feb. 4 the purchase of half of the 1.8 million-square-foot facility, known as the Ford Batavia Transmission plant. The company will open a state-of-the-art converting facility and distribution center at the location.

The $60 million investment will create 327 new jobs over the next three years.   

“Today’s announcement caps an exciting 18-month period, in which we completed three acquisitions and added seven production facilities in the U.S to expand our ability to offer customers a broad product line and coast-to-coast coverage from 17 North American plants,” said  Clay Dunn, president of Huhtamaki North America.

One reason the company chose the location is that the ‘open-space configuration is ideally suited for world-class capability in productivity and material flow,” said Fred Betzen, vice president of operations with Huhtamaki North America. “This new facility has the space, and infrastructure, to meet growing customer needs for additional products and production volume, and can be expanded over the next several years.”

“We are very pleased that Huhtamaki selected Ohio for this significant investment,” said Kristi Tanner, managing director of JobsOhio. This location also houses the University of Cincinnati’s UC East Campus. 

The Batavia plant, located near Cincinnati, will serve customers such as Nestle, Hershey and Starbucks in the foodservice and retail industries, producing paper cups and distributing products made throughout the Huhtamaki network.

Huhtamaki is also the manufacturer of the popular Chinet line of premium disposable tableware.

About the Author

Adrienne Selko | Senior Editor

Focus: Workforce, Talent 

 

Bio: Adrienne Selko has written about many topics over the 17 years she has been with the publication and currently focuses on workforce development strategies.She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics and EHS Today

Editorial mission statement: Manufacturing is the enviable position of creating products, processes and policies that solve the world’s problems. When the industry stepped up to manufacture what was necessary to combat the pandemic, it revealed its true nature. My goal is to showcase the sector’s ability to address a broad range of workforce issues including technology, training, diversity & inclusion, with a goal of enticing future generations to join this amazing sector.

Why I find manufacturing interesting: On my first day working for a company that made medical equipment such as MRIs, I toured the plant floor. On every wall was a photo of a person, mostly children. I asked my supervisor why this was the case and he said that the work we do at this company has saved these people’s lives. “We never forget how important our work is and everyone’s contribution to that.” From that moment on I was hooked on manufacturing.

I have talked with many people in this field who have transformed their own career development to assist others. For example, companies are hiring those with disabilities, those previously incarcerated and other talent pools that have been underutilized. I have talked with leaders who have brought out the best in their workforce, as well as employees doing their best work while doing good for the world. 

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