Nelipak invests £480,000 in its Derry workforce to boost productivity

Pictured (L-R) are: Niall Casey, Director of Skills and Competitiveness, Invest NI and Simon Adcock, Plant Manager, Nelipak

Derry-based Nelipak is investing £480,000 in the skills of its workforce to boost manufacturing productivity. 

The US-owned company, which has sites across the US and Europe, manufactures medical packaging for the global pharmaceutical and medical device markets. Nelipak’s Derry plant produces a range of flexible packaging products, including breather bags, pouches and medical roll stock, and plays an important role within the company’s global manufacturing network. 

Visiting the company’s plant in Derry, Niall Casey, Director of Skills and Competitiveness at Invest Northern Ireland, said: “Nelipak’s flagship North West site is already recognised within the global Nelipak Group for its high productivity standards. This investment in skills will further increase productiveness across the site by upskilling its team in technology and computer sciences. Its team will be readily equipped to keep up with growing demand across the global life and health sciences sector, showcasing the North West’s manufacturing capabilities.” 

Invest NI has offered Nelipak £135,000 of support towards its three-year training plan.

Simon Adcock, Plant Manager at Nelipak in Derry, said: “Invest NI has been supporting us for many years by helping us to create jobs, and develop skills and efficiencies as our business grows. We now have a highly skilled workforce of over 300 people that we want to keep investing in to ensure the best for them and for our business’ longevity. Invest NI’s latest skills support is helping us to accelerate this.

“This latest investment in our team will build on their expertise to date, giving them access to accredited training in management and leadership, advanced manufacturing and data analytics. Providing our team with this knowledge and confidence ensure they are equipped to respond to evolving customer demands and enhance the productivity of our manufacturing processes, so that we can continue to grow our exports in Europe and Asia.” 

Niall Casey added: “Nelipak’s continual investment in its North West plant demonstrates the strength of the advanced manufacturing sector in the area. It’s been great to see Nelipak’s business thrive over the years, and to now continue to support it further. Building on previous skills support we’ve offered the company, this latest support lets it place skills at the centre of its business growth plan to accelerate productivity and innovation. This will enable it to enhance product quality and strengthen global competitiveness from here in the North West."