DRINKS can manufacturer Ardagh Metal Packaging (AMP) has revealed more details of its plans to open a £150 million facility in Co Antrim next year.
The packaging giant has now submitted a full planning application to Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council for a 430,000 sq ft factory at Global Point business park in Newtownabbey.
The company said it will create around 160 direct jobs at the site, with another 30 positions expected to be indirectly created in its supply chain.
AMP, which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, first announced its plans in November.
One of the biggest single biggest cash investments in new production capability in Northern Ireland in recent history, the group said the new plant will supply its existing customers on both the island of Ireland and in Britain.
Its key customers include Lisburn-based Coca-Cola HBC and Diageo, which has announced plans to invest £24.5m upgrading its canning facility in east Belfast.
AMP chief executive Oliver Graham said: “Our proposals will help strengthen our relationships with existing customers and consumers across the island of Ireland and Great Britain.
“We are pleased to have taken a further step forward to delivering this new plant in Northern Ireland as part of our industry leading multi-year growth strategy to supplement our existing production base throughout Europe.”
AMP is 75 per cent owned by the Ardagh Group, the international packaging group which traces its origins back to glass manufacturing in Dublin in the 1930’s.
David Spratt, who heads the group’s European division, said the submission of the planning application marked another milestone in its goal to be operational by 2023.
“We will continue to work closely with Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council and statutory consultees to achieve planning permission in the coming months,” he said.
“Our investment will deliver almost 200 new jobs to Northern Ireland and will bring significant long-term skilled employment opportunities to the area.
“We are grateful for the constructive and positive pre-application consultation with local neighbours and elected representatives.
“AMP look forward to working closely and collaboratively with them in support of employment and education programmes later this year, once planning permission has been granted and construction can begin.”
