Hartlepool packaging firm Coveris serving Next and US Federal Reserve Bank invests £500,000 to help produce covid test bags - and creates 20 new jobs

An innovative Hartlepool packaging firm serving big names such as Next and the US central bank has created 20 new jobs and invested £500,000 into its operation to help it produce ‘tamper-evident’ bags for coronavirus tests.
By Ross Robertson
Published 29th Oct 2021, 11:53 BST
From left, Coveris Managing Director Andrew Wall, Supply Chain Manager Vicki Tighe and Tees Valley Mayor Ben HouchenFrom left, Coveris Managing Director Andrew Wall, Supply Chain Manager Vicki Tighe and Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen
From left, Coveris Managing Director Andrew Wall, Supply Chain Manager Vicki Tighe and Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen

Coveris, which has 29 production facilities across the UK and Europe, manufactures flexible and sustainable packaging for a range of markets including food and drink, construction, agriculture and household items.

Its Hartlepool base, which employs 115 people, has recently grown thanks to the £500,000 investment in hi-tech equipment to produce branded bags for the Covid-19 testing kits.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The move has also allowed the firm to take on 20 new staff, including a new innovation engineer, and relay the factory to increase output.

Andrew Wall and Mayor HouchenAndrew Wall and Mayor Houchen
Andrew Wall and Mayor Houchen

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen paid the company a visit to cut the ribbon on the new custom-built LEMO machine and learn about its other recent contract wins.

The include supplying clothing brand Next with online bags, and another contract with the Federal Reserve Bank in the US.

The firm is now looking at further investment in new technology for medical and diagnostic bags, and is considering the creation of a ‘clean room’ to produce sterile packaging.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mayor Houchen said: “This new investment is a vote of confidence in our area and it has helped create more good-quality, well-paid jobs for the people of Hartlepool, as well as Teesside and Darlington.

Andrew Wall, Mayor Houchen and Vicki Tighe touring the Coveris facilityAndrew Wall, Mayor Houchen and Vicki Tighe touring the Coveris facility
Andrew Wall, Mayor Houchen and Vicki Tighe touring the Coveris facility

“Coveris is just the latest example of a Hartlepool business going from strength to strength.

"Having secured work for household names like Next, the firm is innovating in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, and has employed local contractors for the changes it’s made on-site, ensuring the money it spends is kept right here in the region.”

He added: “It was fantastic to hear about Coveris’s efforts to further expand and work with more local businesses to provide them with their packaging, as well as its ambitious plans for the future."

Andrew Wall, Managing Director of Coveris, said: “Over the last 18 months, our facility here in Hartlepool has played a critical role in the fight against COVID-19.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"Producing our specialist Intervoid® UltraSeal 95kPa sample bags for the NHS and other test partners, we have supported the safe collection and transportation of PCR tests.

"Having produced over 125 million covid test kit bags to date, today’s new investment sees us ramp up capacity to support increased demand for self-sampling kits in new markets for other healthcare and laboratory testing to support improved transportation and technology.”

Support your Mail and become a subscriber today. Enjoy unlimited access to local news, the latest on Pools and new puzzles every day. With a digital subscription, you can see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe.

Related topics:HartlepoolBen HouchenMayorEuropeTeesside