The most recent investment carried out by glass packaging specialist O-I regards its Leerdam plant in the Netherlands with a furnace rebuild, machine upgrades and new process and quality equipment to strengthen the plant’s production and quality capabilities.
Owens-Illinois, Inc. (O-I), global leader in glass packaging, has completed a EUR 21 million investment at its Leerdam plant in the Netherlands to enhance its capabilities and better support the brewing industry in the Benelux market.
O-I’s investment includes a furnace rebuild, machine upgrades and new process and quality equipment to strengthen the plant’s production and quality capabilities. The company expects a 15% decrease in CO2 emissions as a result of this investment. The furnace and new machines were inaugurated by O-I Europe’s president, Erik Bouts, with 50 customers, employees and local officials at a ceremony at the plant.
“The investment at our Leerdam facility is part of O-I’s strategy to significantly strengthen our competitiveness and capabilities in Europe. In 2013, we will be investing EUR 140 million in our European operations,” said Bouts. “Over the next several years, we will accelerate our efforts to enhance O-I’s capabilities to better support the growing needs of our European customers for sustainable and healthy glass packaging.”
Gerard Pille, sales and distribution director of O-I Benelux said, “This investment demonstrates O-I’s commitment to support the growth ambitions of both our multinational and regional brewers in the important Benelux market, while continuing the great tradition of glassmaking in this community.”
The Leerdam plant is one of three O-I plants in the Netherlands. The plant employs 300 people. Each year, its three furnaces produce more than one billion bottles in amber and green glass for the Benelux beer market.
O-I’s European operations comprise 8,000 employees in 11 countries, with more than EUR 2.1 billion of sales in 2012. This represents approximately 40% of the company’s global sales.