Australian packaging giant Amcor Rigid Plastics (Abbotsford; www.amcor.com) has invested USD 20m in a new site and expanded output in Orlando, Florida / USA. Prompted by rising demand for beverage and pharmaceutical packaging, the funds went towards a move from the group’s former 15,600 m² site to a nearby hall almost three times the former size (more than 46,000 m²). In addition, the investment also provided for revamping the new space towards the group’s manufacturing, warehousing and office needs.

Amcor said the new facility is already up and running, producing both hot- and cold-fill PET beverage bottles as well as HDPE and LDPE pharmaceutical containers. The company will manufacture most of its preforms on-site, which will allow it to slash the costs previously associated with shipping the preforms. Another benefit of the new location is the fact that the additional space allows Amcor to eliminate three offsite warehousing sites. Far from fulfilling its potential, the new plant still offers room for further expansion, the group said.

The added capacities will yield 29 new jobs by next year, plant manager Mark Lambrite said, bringing Amcor’s total workforce in Orlando to about 150 employees.