Expansion at Warwickshire business park sees 100 jobs created

TWO firms have taken on 100 staff as part of a major expansion in Warwickshire.

IFCO Systems – a global provider of reusable packaging solutions for fresh products has moved into a 157,000 sq ft unit at business park Bermuda in Nuneaton and set up an operation for the cleaning of plastic trays used in the food industry.

The trays, which carry food from growers to supermarkets, are taken to the unit where they are sanitised before being delivered once again to producers.

The unit’s machinery is expected to service 26m trays in its first year of operation.

The plant is run for IFCO by Nuneaton firm RCI, which has also moved its other operations into the building.

Chris Taylor, managing director of IFCO Systems UK, said: “This is our fifth site in the UK involved in the cleaning of trays and the second in Warwickshire with one already based in Rugby.

“This site was perfectly positioned for what we do, but was bigger than we needed so RCI, which runs the operation on our behalf, also moved its business into part of the unit.

“It was the ideal solution for both parties and has led to us investing heavily in the area, and creating more than 100 jobs, mostly for local people.”

The building is owned by the Deeley Group. The company has just finished a 40-year regeneration of Bermuda which has seen 2,000 jobs created, 1,000 homes built as well as the creation of a new sport and social club and sports facilities.

Peter Deeley, who has masterminded the regeneration, said: “Apart from the old mining village, this building was the only one on the site when we bought 40 years ago.

“It has been used mostly in the automotive industry but it is great to see IFCO moving here and working with RCI, who are a local firm.”