The family-owned packaging specialist is increasing its capacity to produce food packaging with a 4,650sqm extension at its site at Colwick near Nottingham.

The firm said that sales were on track to grow by 20% to £45m this year and the “multi-million pound” expansion would fuel further growth as customers increasingly turn to cardboard to replace plastic packaging.

In a statement the Wilkins family said: “There currently isn’t the capacity to cope with demand in the food packaging sector and this extension will assist in the shortage in capacity.

“It’s going to be one of the single biggest production plants in the UK and will easily be the biggest family-run packaging facility in the sector.”

The family said the company had remained busy throughout the pandemic. 

“We are very lucky to be in that position and feel very sorry for sectors and businesses which have not survived.”

The expansion will also result in the creation of new roles at the business, along with investment in additional equipment. 

Wilkins Group serves a range of markets including chilled and frozen food, confectionery, and toiletries. The firm came up with the idea for the illuminated ‘snow globe’ liqueur bottles that have proved a seasonal bestseller for customer Marks & Spencer.

Work on the extension, which involves the demolition of some old units, is underway and is expected to be completed by late summer 2022.

Last year the company invested £1.1m in an additional Bobst Expertcut PER 106 to expand its cutting and creasing capabilities.

Wilkins Group also has operations in Bangladesh, China and Sri Lanka. In the financial year to 31 March 2021 the business had sales of nearly £39m and employed 397 staff.