Wilkins Group invests $ 3m on packaging solutions

Wilkins Spence Sri Lanka, a subsidiary of the Wilkins Group UK, recently laid the foundation for a state-of-the-art factory to produce retail packaging solutions,with an investment of over US $ 3 million.

Group Chairman and Managing Director of the Wilkins Group UK, André Wilkins, Group Finance Director, Ann Wilkins, Director and Head of Overseas Marketing Wilkins Spence Sri Lanka, Yasantha Suriyapperuma, Head of Packaging at Marks and Spencer PLC UK, Kim Phillips and Head of GM Packaging - Production, Quality and Sourcing, Trevor Hatchett were also present at the foundation laying ceremony.

The 40,000 square feet factory will be built at Mawaramandiya on the principles of green architecture adhering to the US Green Building Council Standards for LEED certification and is targeted for a mid-2015 launch.

Group Chairman and MD André Wilkins said, "This building will house one of the world's major facilities to produce retail packaging solutions.

Setting up a facility of this nature in Sri Lanka is a move in the right direction and shows the Group's commitment and confidence in Sri Lanka and the region," he said.

Director of Wilkins Spence Sri Lanka, Yasantha Suriyapperuma said that Wilkins specialises in packaging solutions for brands and retailers in the European Union and the USA.

"The 150 strong workforce at this facility have undergone special training in printing and quality assurance in accordance with European Union and USA market standards," he said.

Wilkins Spence Sri Lanka is a BOI company and has been in business in Sri Lanka for over fourteen years. It is a subsidiary of the Wilkins Group UK which has one of the largest packaging factories in the UK.