UK’s Wilkins Group opens eco-friendly Retail Packaging Factory at Mawaramandiya
View(s):Wilkins Spence Sri Lanka, a subsidiary of the Wilkins Group UK, recently opened a state-of-the-art factory to produce retail packaging solutions at Mawaramandiya. The opening was attended by the Board of Directors of Wilkins Group UK, dignitaries, factory officials and many esteemed customers, according to a company media release.
The 40,000 sq. ft factory was completed in 14 months and was facilitated with an investment of US$3 million by the Wilkins Group UK, which operates one of the largest independent packaging factories in the UK. The factory is equipped with the latest innovations in technology to cater to the changing demand of a dynamic apparel industry and will produce swing tickets, labels, collar cards, cartons, staggered packs, stickers and a vast array of offset packaging requirements, it said.
The new factory with over 100 Sri Lankan workers increases production capacity by 80 per cent from its previous capacity. It will supply offset packaging requirements to customers in Sri Lanka, Asia and Europe and will expand its operations and diversify its services to meet world demand.“The factory will serve as one of the world’s major facilities in the production of retail packaging solutions. As Sri Lanka propels its economy and gradually emerges from a three decade long conflict, setting up an investment of this nature is a testament to our confidence and commitment to Sri Lanka and the region,” said André Wilkins, Group Chairman & MD of Wilkins Group UK, speaking at the opening of the factory in Sri Lanka.
Situated in Mawaramandiya, this 40,000 sq. ft factory was built on the principles of green architecture, adhering to the US Green Building Council Standards for LEED certification. With an eye on sustainability and eco-friendly operations, the factory is installed with several unique features. It is equipped with energy efficient AC units and is illuminated with LED lighting to emphasise energy saving. The factory’s unique roof design facilitates a solar reflective index of 96 per cent, rainwater harvesting and daylight harvesting, the release said. The factory uses only vegetable and soy based inks while raw materials such as carton board and paper are from sustainably managed forests and are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
Director of Wilkins Spence Sri Lanka Yasantha Suriyapperuma said that the facility’s key strength is a small format packaging solution unit with LEED certification. “We manufacture for Marks & Spencer – one of the world’s best known retailers – which is a testament to our attention to quality and also many other retailers and major global brands”.