By Karen Peattie
RECYCLED paper producer Saica Group is to relocate to a new production facility in West Lothian in an investment worth £50 million as it eyes expansion for its growing Saica Pack division.
The purpose-built site in Livingston, due for completion by the end of 2021, will be equipped with the “latest technologies” as the company reiterates its commitment to providing sustainable packaging solutions in Scotland.
Saica said that ageing facilities and challenges associated with its existing sites in Edinburgh and Milngavie, near Glasgow, and the need for increased capacity in the business, had driven the decision to transition from a two-site structure to one main plant in West Lothian.
The Edinburgh and Milngavie sites will be decommissioned.
Adam Haycock, regional director at Saica Park Scotland, said: “The existing sites are old and can’t accommodate the bigger and bolder equipment we require.
“We have a growing business here and want to invest in Scotland, and geographically Livingston is a central location with excellent infrastructure.”
Mr Haycock described the move as a “significant step forward” for the company and one that demonstrates its long-term commitment to the Scottish market.
“Once fully operational, our new Livingston site will offer the latest and most innovative technologies while improving our service and capacity,” he said.
“This new site gives us the capacity to invest further in the future as we want to remain a leading provider of corrugated packaging in Scotland and enhance our offering to our customers.”
Saica Pack’s customers include leading whisky, spirits and food and drink businesses. The group’s turnover in Scotland is £56m.
Mr Haycock said the company anticipates that the “vast majority” of new roles at the Livingston site will be filled by existing employees.
Saica Pack employs 147 people in Edinburgh and 94 at Milngavie. Mr Haycock said he hoped that as many as possible would relocate to Livingston, adding that Saica “will ensure all employees continue to be involved and updated regularly during the transition process”.
Saica Group is one of Europe’s largest players in the development and production of recycled paper for corrugated board, producing 3.2 million tons of paper per annum.
It also has a sheet plant in Grangemouth which will continue to operate as normal.
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