DE SOTO, Kan., Jan. 31, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Huhtamaki, a global leader in food packaging and tableware, today announced plans to open a state-of-the-art converting facility and distribution center in Batavia Township, Ohio, to serve customers in the foodservice and retail industries. The new facility will initially produce paper drink cups and distribute products made throughout the Huhtamaki manufacturing network.

Huhtamaki expects capital investments at the site, located 25 miles east of Cincinnati, to exceed $60 million over the next three years and result in the creation of 237 jobs. The 925,000 square-foot facility was formerly owned by the Ford Motor Company and also houses the University of Cincinnati's UC East Campus.

"This investment further demonstrates Huhtamaki's commitment to serving the evolving needs of foodservice and retail customers for tableware, cups, containers, carriers and serviceware," says Clay Dunn, president, Huhtamaki North America. "Today's announcement caps an exciting 18-month period in which we completed three acquisitions and added seven production facilities in the U.S. to expand our ability to offer customers a broad product line and coast-to-coast coverage from 17 North American plants."

Construction of the new facility will begin this year to accommodate the installation of new production lines for manufacturing paper drink cups and to build the distribution center. Commercial production is scheduled to launch in the fourth quarter.

"The open space configuration is ideally suited for world-class capability in productivity and material flow," says Fred Betzen, vice president of Operations, Huhtamaki North America. "This new facility has the space and infrastructure to meet growing customer needs for additional products and production volume and can be expanded over the next several years."

"We would like to thank Governor John Kasich, Jobs Ohio, the Industrial Realty Group, the University of Cincinnati, and all the officials from Clermont County and elsewhere who were involved in the site selection process," says Dunn. "We're excited to become part of the Batavia community and expand our presence in Ohio beyond our facilities in New Vienna and Franklin," said Dunn.

About Huhtamaki

Huhtamaki North America is a leading manufacturer of consumer goods packaging as well as tableware, cups, folding cartons, containers, carriers, trays and serviceware for the foodservice industry and retail markets. Our product portfolio includes Chinet®, the leading brand of premium tableware. Huhtamaki

North America employs approximately 3,300 people in 17 manufacturing sites. The parent company, Huhtamaki Oyj, has its head office in Espoo, Finland and its shares are quoted on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Ltd. Additional information is available at www.huhtamaki.com.

SOURCE Huhtamaki