Packaging firm creates jobs in Peterborough after securing grant for new production line

Manasty Packing, of Culley Court, in Orton Southgate, has been awarded the funding to help it increase its productivity.

It will allow the company to recruit three extra staff to operate the new production line.

The grant for £46,623 has been awarded by the Eastern Agri-Tech Growth Initiative.

Clive Potter, of Manasty Packing, said: “We are delighted to have been offered a grant towards our new food packing production line.

“This has given us the opportunity to increase our daily output by 40 per cent, which will allow us to service more efficiently, our existing customers and to seek new customers.

“The new line will allow us to offer our customers, not only more efficiency, but also the option of newer and more innovative formats of packaging that are quickly growing in demand.

He added: “We are very grateful to the Eastern Agri-Tech Growth Initiative for considering our application worthy of a grant and also thank them for all their helpful advice throughout the application process.”

Manasty Packaging is part of the Sweet Ideas Group, which provides packing facilities for dry food products such as confectionery, snacking lines and cereals.

Mark Reeve, chairman of the Eastern Agri-Tech Growth Initiative, said: “We have given Manasty Packing a grant to help them grow their business by commissioning a new food packing line- the new equipment will help the company to increase their daily output and expand their customer base.

“The food and drink industry is a key sector for the Local Enterprise Partnership and I am pleased to be able to support projects that will help the businesses in the East of England to become more efficient and profitable.”

The Eastern Agri-Tech Growth Initiative is run by the Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough Enterprise Partnership (LEP) with support from New Anglia LEP, Norfolk County Council, Cambridgeshire County Council, and the local authorities covering the area.