Rexam to build plant in Switzerland

Rexam is building a new can plant in Switzerland in an effort to meet rising demand for energy drinks.

The new beverage can plant in Widnau, Switzerland, is Rexam’s first plant in the country. It represents an investment of around £115 million over three years and forms part of the company’s current capital investment plans.

The plant is a wall-to-wall facility and is being configured as a four-line operation for various sizes of both slim and sleek cans. Initially, it will operate two lines and employ around 120 people. The first line is expected to come on stream at the start of 2015.

The plant will be built to the latest environmental specifications. It will minimise traffic to and from the site, optimise logistics cost and further enhance the sustainability credentials of the beverage can.

Iain Percival (pictured), the sector director for Rexam Beverage Can Europe, said: “We are very excited at this opportunity as part of our focus to capture growth opportunities in existing and emerging markets. Energy drinks have been the fastest growing category in soft drinks globally in recent years and they are expected to continue on this path. The new plant will free up capacity at other Rexam plants in the region which will enable us to grow speciality can volumes or release production capacity for other sizes. Overall, this is another step to strengthen relationships with our customers by offering them the best cans and the best service possible.”