Telford manufacturer embarking on Mexican mission
A Shropshire manufacturer is set to enjoy a major expansion after revealing plans to open a new factory in Mexico.
Innovative packaging producer Sirane, which has its international headquarters on Stafford Park 6 in Telford, is to open a 1,500 sq m (16,000 sq ft) factory in Guadalajara in January.
The city is near to the Central American country's major berry growing regions and the headquarters of many fruit growers, and Sirane plans to use the new location as a platform to sell its absorbent fruit pads for product packaging.
The move will not draw staff or resources away from its Telford home, the company said, but will instead boost the Shropshire plant.
"Certainly in soft-fruit terms, it is one of the world's major producers," said managing director Simon Balderson. "But geographically it is also quite a distance from many of its major export markets.
"This means shelf-life matters to the Mexican growers, and they understand its importance. They are very experienced and highly educated in this area, so it fits perfectly for us.
"The Mexican fruit export market has grown significantly in recent years following investment. Sirane's invested a lot of time in recent years on shelf-life extension for fruit and vegetables, and we've now got some very effective products. Everything fits together perfectly.
"I've visited the region myself, and found the growers to be very receptive to new technology, and keen to get involved. They are seriously excited by what we're offering."
The group already has a manufacturing operation in Antalya in Turkey, and a sales office in South Africa, which bolster its Telford factory.
Sirane uses flexible manufacturing which allows for a number of different products to come off different machines, and the Mexican facility will also help free up capacity in Telford.
Growth in the American fruit markets had led to growing demand for Sirane's products, as well as short lead times which could not be met from Telford because of the distance from the growers to the factory.
The bulk of manufacturing in Mexico will be for customers looking for local supply which could not be met from Telford, and is effectively new business that would not have been secured without the operation in Guadalajara.
The research and development conducted in Mexico will also help inform the fruit packaging business back home.
Other regions of North and Central America are also significant exporters of fruit, so Sirane Mexico will be well placed to supply demand across the region.
Mr Balderson added: "Sirane Mexico will provide jobs in the region for engineers, scientists and in manufacturing.
"In effect will be opening a fruit-based R&D department in the region alongside the manufacturing. We have had great help from Pro Mexico in the UK, as well as the Mexican government and the local officials in the Jalisco region.
"Sirane Mexico is a significant step for Sirane.
"We've been encouraged every step of the way by people within the Mexican fruit industry and by government officials, and we're now looking forward to the day the factory opens for business and begins production."
