Belgium-based in-mold labeling manufacturer Verstraete IML is planning to open a new production site in Clarksville, Tennessee, US in a bid to boost its business.
Featuring multiple printing presses and finishing lines, the new site is expected to help the company meet the increasing demand for IML labels outside Europe.
Verstraete IML, a unit of flexible packaging and labels manufacturer Constantia Flexibles, plans to invest $20m in the new production site over the next three years.
Construction work at the site is planned to commence in the coming months while production is scheduled to begin second half of 2017. It is expected to create about 55 jobs.
Verstraete IML managing director Koen Verstraete: “The decision to expand our production capacity with an international site is a huge step for our company.
“Going to North America will not only strengthen our position as global leader, but also gives us direct access to North America – the IML market with the best growth potential.”
The new manufacturing plant is planned to be built near Constantia Flexibles’ existing paper and pressure sensitive labels plant, which serves the American beverage and food market.
Koen Verstraete added: “The new production site in North America will result in shorter turnaround times and a more efficient response to market demand both in North America as in South America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Russia & CIS.”
Verstraete currently operates two Belgium-based plants in Maldegem and Ursel which produce labels for export to Asia, the Middle East, Russia & CIS and North and South America.