The UK subsidiary of plastics closure manufacturer Bericap (Budenheim / Germany; www.bericap.com) is to undertake an expansion of its manufacturing facilities at its Hull site. Bericap UK is to extend its factory, install new production lines and house all its warehousing on the same site, thanks to a GBP 2.3m (EUR 2.7m) development loan agreed with the Royal Bank of Scotland.

The factory extension will also allow for further future expansion. According to Peter Evans, managing director, Bericap UK: “This factory extension allows us to be self-contained on the Hull site and provides ample space for expansion over the next five to 10 years.” The UK factory employs more than 130 people and had a turnover of GBP 23m in 2010. It produces a wide range of plastic closures, including traditional screw caps for soft drinks, sports bottle caps and childproof products for the automotive and agrochemical sectors.

The Hull site in the UK is one of 20 Bericap manufacturing plants in 18 countries, including Brazil, China, Russia and the US. The most recent addition was in Singapore earlier this year with the opening of a new factory to provide a direct service to the company’s customers in the ASEAN zone, which were previously served by a sales office and deliveries from Bericap China and other Bericap facilities – see Plasteurope.com of 19.01.2011.

Expansion of the Bericap network saw it surpass the turnover threshold of EUR 500m in 2010, with year-end sales of EUR 545m. Margins are being maintained despite escalating polymer costs, thanks to continuous efficiency improvements. Price rises for customers are inevitable, however. Despite the cost pressures, Bericap will continue to invest in further production facilities in emerging markets and in the technology to make lighter weight closures.