LINPAC Allibert is consolidating its plastic returnable packaging operations in the UK to its site in Winsford, Cheshire to create a centre of excellence in the industry. This will include the manufacturing and supply chain operations of its reusable packaging products, such as large containers, handheld crates, totes and pallets.

LINPAC Allibert is a division of the LINPAC Group making up a total of 20 per cent of sales across the group. LINPAC Allibert supplies a range of materials handling products and services and is the market leader in the UK.

The move allows LINPAC Allibert to drive operational efficiencies, while creating a world-class UK facility able to deliver best in class product quality and service to its customers against the background of a hardening UK economic environment.

The new Winsford site is also home to the test centre of Intellident, the LINPAC Allibert business, which manages the design of asset tracking software and develops RFID enabled technology. This on-site test centre allows organisations to interact with the latest technology in a real-world industrial setting and receive impartial advice on how RFID can be implemented in different application areas. The consolidation enhances even further LINPAC Allibert’s unique offering of total supply chain support.

Laurence Tanty, managing director of LINPAC Allibert, said: “This consolidation allows LINPAC Allibert to strengthen its market position by further increasing manufacturing efficiencies; it secures our long-term presence in the UK marketplace and will allow us to offer an even better service to our customers while at the same time increasing our competitiveness.”

The site will be supported by a new UK sales and marketing office in the West Midlands, which will be home to several of the businesses support functions, such as marketing and finance. This centralising of support functions will enable simpler communications and ensure a more rapid speed of response for customers.

The UK plastic returnable packaging operations are being consolidated from the existing Walsall and Bromsgrove sites, both of which will close. Laurence Tanty added: “We are creating approximately 100 new positions at the Winsford site, providing employees with the opportunity to relocate, as well as supporting them to find alternative employment. With regard to the staff that may be affected by these changes, we are committed to providing them with the best support and advice.”