We had been searching for a suitable site for several months and were particularly impressed by the commitment and desire of the public sector support agencies and private sector partners to attract us to the area. They were able to satisfy all of our needs and we look forward to a long-lasting relationship with them as our business develops.
As a business, we aim to support the local community and to this end we have engaged predominantly local North East based contractors to carry out the initial fit out of the unit and are delighted with the result. Whilst this will be the base for our UK operations as a whole, we are aware of the North East’s brewing heritage and look forward to showcasing our products to the region’s growing number of craft brewers. Recruitment to date has been straightforward and we are impressed by the skills and work ethic of our new recruits.
Lightweight Containers
Lightweight Containers, a Dutch-based manufacturer of lightweight kegs for the drinks industry, has chosen to locate its first UK manufacturing plant in County Durham. The company had a manufacturing presence in the US and mainland Europe but the UK was recognised as a key market and in which the demand for kegs has grown progressively over the last years. So in 2017, they decided to set up operations and establish a new production facility in the UK.
The company already has production plants in Holland, Germany and the United States and has been searching for a site in the UK to satisfy a growing demand for its products, due in part to an upsurge in the craft brewing sector. As an alternative to heavy and costly stainless steel the KeyKeg has huge environmental benefits and is 100% recyclable.
Lightweight Containers BV is the founder of the innovative KeyKeg and UniKeg system. The company’s headquarters are located in Den Helder, the Netherlands, and the US office is located in Chicago. The KeyKeg and UniKeg kegs are manufactured on four production lines in the USA, the Netherlands, UK and Germany. A fifth Spanish line is being prepared. As an innovative family business, Lightweight Containers BV has a keen eye for the environment in all its activities.