News

Rotherham glassmaker Beatson Clark is investing £2m in a glass line that will supply an extra 75 million clear glass containers to the industry.

The line, which is expected to be operational by the end of January 2009, will include an eight-section, double gob IS machine, pulling 65 tonnes of glass from the furnace each day.

It will also have top and base inspection units, as well as multi-stationed rotating equipment for neck and sidewall inspection.

A Zechetti palletiser will bulk pack the containers produced on the line.

Beatson Clark marketing manager Charlotte Muscroft said the line will produce mainly food containers in 30-300ml sizes.

The investment will also provide full-time employment for 15 temporary staff at Beatson Clark.

The firm current employs 300 people.

Beatson Clark said the investment will enable the firm to improve its service to customers while offering more choice for quality clear flint glass packaging, which has been in short supply across the UK.

"We will continue to import white flint glass while increasing our own facility," said Muscroft.

Beatson Clark provides glass containers to the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries.

The firm has a turnover of £51m and a current production capacity of some 800 million units or 135,000 tonnes.

It has two UK distribution centres located in Rotherham and Barnsley.