Injection-moulded plastic packaging manufacturer Superfos (Vipperød / Denmark; www.superfos.com) is closing its factory in Vipperød with the loss of around 140 jobs. Production will shift to group factories in growth markets, primarily in eastern Europe. The closure is part of its targeted strategy for growth and will strengthening its competitiveness on both price and service, the company said.

According to Hans Pettersson, Superfos CEO, increasing costs of production and transport in Scandinavia mean that it is no longer viable to export to eastern and central Europe. Under its "Fit for the future" programme, Superfos is working to increase its profitability and to make resources available for growth initiatives. At the same time a new regional structure has been implemented.

The company has begun negotiations with the unions and the employees on the closure of the Vipperød factory at the end of the year. The facility produces injection-moulded packages for food and non-food applications.