VPK to close Leeds site, East Kilbride plant now in joint venture

VPK UK & Ireland has announced plans to close its corrugated packaging site in Leeds, Britain, by 29 August. As a result of the announcement, the management team has launched consultation with the local trade union, a company spokesperson said. This decision has been made in response to the long-term commercial viability of the facility.

The Leeds facility currently has 59 employees and specialises in the production of corrugated packaging solutions. Following the closure of the Leeds site, operations will be transitioned to other VPK locations, the spokesperson said.

The Leeds site became part of VPK Group following the acquisition of Encase in 2020. Encase's operations at that time comprised two integrated corrugated packaging facilities in Leeds and Banbury, along with a sheet plant in East Kilburn, Scotland.

McLaren announces JV with VPK's East Kilbride site
At the end of 2024, VPK UK launched a 50/50 joint venture with McLaren Corrugate, part of the McLaren Packaging Ltd. The new company will be called McLaren Corrugate Limited and will be formed through the combination of McLaren's corrugated production facility in Port Glasgow and VPK's site in East Kilbride, McLaren announced. It will primarily serve the Scottish corrugated market.

McLaren Packaging Limited has announced that it will have operational management control of the new joint venture. The group's other businesses (McLaren Tubes, Blue Box Design, Compack Cartons and Interlok Divisions) will not be affected by this change.

Donald McLaren, Managing Director of McLaren Packaging, said: “We are delighted to establish a new joint venture focused on corrugated packaging with VPK’s East Kilbride site. This exciting partnership marks a significant milestone for both our corrugate businesses in Scotland. It enables us to use the strengths of the combined companies to deliver a wider corrugate range and service offer, thereby creating greater value for our customers.”

VPK UK & Ireland Managing Director Jeremy Anderson commented: “McLaren Packaging has a strong position and reputation in the Scottish food and drinks markets, and we have the corrugate manufacturing capabilities to support growth. Tremendous opportunities exist between our East Kilbride site and McLaren Packaging."

VPK continues to operate four plants in Britain: Banbury, Desborough, Selby and Wellington.