The company, which is the PET packaging division of La Seda de Barcelona (LSB), says it has established the APPE Polska division as a means of positioning itself in the all-important emerging markets of the Central and Eastern European region.
In line with this, the company says that it has already secured two major contracts for the Polish production facility, which should ensure that the business gets off to a sound start, with the prospect of more business to come.
Tapping into growing demand for packaging
The move is in line with the packaging player's ambitions to expand into this fast-growing region and take advantages of growth in demand for a variety of fast moving consumer products, especially cosmetics and personal care.
APPE says it is investing more than €15 million in developing and building a new factory in Katowice, situated in the south of Poland, where a full range of both services and products will be generated.
Once the facility is open at the end of this year, it will offer the company's full range of services including preforms and bottles, advanced technologies such as Heat Set, DeepGrip and barrier bottles, together with bespoke container designs and the capabilities to provide dedicated Through The Wall operations at customer sites.
Strategic positioning within an industrial zone
The main aim of positioning the new operation in Southern Poland is to deliver a more localised supply within this industrialised region, as well as providing new opportunities to develop sales throughout the region with a dedicated staff.
“This is part of our continuing strategy to move our business forward by bringing our technical and design expertise to markets where our packaging solutions will create significant added value for our customers,” said APPE managing director, Martin Hargreaves.
“We are taking an aggressive approach to seeking and securing new customers in this region, with the intention of developing long term, mutually-successful relationships.”