The Italian Ambassador to the UK has paid a visit to a Blackwood packaging company to see how Welsh Government finance is helping its expansion.
First Minister Carwyn Jones welcomed Pasquale Q Terracciano to Italian-owned Seda UK in Blackwood last week.
The company, which manufactures a range of food packaging for major global clients, announced a five-year £18 million investment in March last year. The expansion scheme is aimed at creating 73 new jobs and safeguarding 100 existing positions.
The project is being backed with £5.4m of business finance from the Welsh Government.
As well as the Italian Ambassador, the First Minister also met with Seda Group CEO Antonio D’Amato to see the progress that has been made so far on the project – including investment in new plant and machinery – and to learn more about planned developments.
The First Minister said: “I’m delighted that the Welsh Government has been able to support Seda UK since it moved to Wales in 2004, including this latest phase of growth and investment.
“The £18m project is creating and safeguarding a significant number of jobs and providing real benefits to the local community. It is also enabling this world leading company to expand even further and meet the growing demand for its wide range of products.”
Seda UK, based on Hawtin Park, is a subsidiary of the family-owned Seda International Packaging Group SpA, which has twelve manufacturing plants around the world. Its latest project was won by Seda UK against stiff competition from other European manufacturing companies.
Managing Director, Lorenzo Angelucci said: “It is an enormous honour for us to welcome First Minister, Carwyn Jones, here at Seda UK, together with the Italian Ambassador, Pasquale Terracciano, and our Group President and CEO, Antonio D’Amato.
“We are extremely proud of this opportunity.
“It is confirmation of the strong relations we have created within Wales, and of the significant success and growth the company has achieved in recent years.
“This will continue, thanks to the commitment of Seda Group to invest in Wales, and the support we receive from the Welsh Government and local authorities.”
The company has so far invested £9m in the Blackwood facility as part of the current project.
The Blackwood plant produces a vast range of paper cups, containers, plastic lids for hot and cold drinks, dairy products and folding cartons.
The facility also has a full-scale graphic design department and a Research and Development centre.