As published in Manufacturing & Construction News - February 1, 2018
deSter manufactures food packaging and serviceware concepts for the aviation, hospitality, and foodservice industries
deSter plans new $6M+ facility in Lima
Company to create 70 new jobs for its production operations
deSter, a Belgian company with its headquarters in Antwerp that provides food packaging and serviceware concepts to the aviation, hospitality, and foodservice industries, is planning to invest over $6 million to open a new 75,000 square foot production facility in Lima.
The company specializes in designing and manufacturing thermoformed and injection molded plastics, cutlery packs, condiments, glassware, ceramic, cardboard, and aluminum products and employs over a thousand people worldwide.
According to deSter, the development of a new production facility in Lima is the result of a strategic exercise spanning well over a year and is an integral part of the company’s global expansion strategy aiming to produce closer to its core markets, predominantly located in the Midwest. Initially the Lima location will primarily focus on the production of service items for the foodservice and travel industries.
“There will be an initial investment in new production equipment as well as renovation and fit out. After that, a continuous expansion plan will follow with further investment in machines and space,” said Johnny Kattar, operations and supply chain development manager of deSter.
“For many years already, we have been a global market leader within the aviation industry, a heavily regulated environment when it comes to food processing. Because of our reputation and ability to continuously meet the most stringent quality standards concerning the production of food contact items, we have seen a growing interest coming from US-based companies looking to provide their customers with safe and secure products. During the last years, the US has become such an important growth market for us, it was a logical next step to set up a production facility here as well. The fact that we will be able to offer products made in the USA will not only be an additional quality reassurance for local customers, it’s also a great way to give something back to the community” said Stef Van de Perre, managing director of deSter.
“In addition to strengthening our relationship with US customers, there is also a very different side to the decision of developing a local plant in Ohio. We already have a global supply chain and mature production plants in Belgium and Thailand, which will provide a solid back-up during the start-up phase of the new Lima facility. However, as a company, we profoundly believe that good business should be good for people and gentle on the environment. Producing locally will therefore not only significantly contribute to reducing our carbon footprint, it will also provide a valuable economic injection within the Lima region as we expect to create 70 new jobs to start with,” added Van de Perre.
Kattar noted that 70 jobs are expected to be created during the first two phases of the project, which will be throughout 2018 and part of 2019.
When speaking of the impact on Lima, Kattar said, “It will create jobs with growth and career development potential. It’ll also provide a fair, safe, and equal opportunity work environment; as well as increasing the economical activity though suppliers, employees, etc.”
According to deSter, the new Lima plant will open as soon as all production lines have been installed and the necessary quality tests have been completed successfully. The aim is to be fully operational by the end of March next year.
