A packaging manufacturing company has announced it is to invest over £2million in skills development at its west Belfast and Antrim facilities.

Welcoming the investment, the Minister for the Economy Diane Doods said: "Skills development is not only vital for sustaining business competitiveness, but it is even more essential now as we support business recovery and revive the economy. I am committed to ensuring that Skills is at the very heart of our economic recovery. I do see opportunity ahead, however it is essential that our companies and labour market are equipped with the skills and knowledge they need for the journey ahead.

"Huhtamaki is well known globally for its pioneering manufacturing processes and has shown real adaptability during the pandemic by repurposing part of its business to support the manufacture of NHS-approved PPE in partnership with Bloc Blinds. Looking forward, it recognises the rapidly growing global demand for sustainable food paper-based packaging and the importance of upskilling its workforce to be able to continue innovation in this area. This significant investment across its West Belfast and Antrim facilities will focus on training its staff in using its new machinery to help it capitalise on this niche market."

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The investment will focus on training its staff in using its new machinery to help it capitalise on this niche market.

Ciaran Doherty, General Manager at Huhtamaki, said: "We've always recognised that to remain competitive we need to constantly be innovating. As part of our growth plans, we are aiming to increase our product offering of sustainable, recyclable packaging to include paper wraps, bags and tubs, to support customer demand for packaging.”

"To do this, we are upskilling our staff in team management and how to optimise the new machinery. This will help our business to innovate and expand in identified target markets, as we can react quickly to new business opportunities, and boost team morale and confidence."