WERiT, a leading manufacturer of plastic packaging solutions, has opened its expanded production site in Irlam following an £8 million investment that has already created nine new jobs.
Credit: WERiT
Newly installed Magic machine at WERiT in Irlam
The new facilities were inaugurated by Mrs Sandra Morrison, Honorary Consul Manchester, German Missions in the United Kingdom, who joined WERiT Managing Director Sunny Prakash, WERiT Group Managing Partner Joerg Schneider, and MIDAS Business Development Director David Hilton on a tour of the upgraded site.
The investment has delivered a 3,000 m² warehouse extension, a two-storey 860 m² office complex and state-of-the-art blow-moulding machinery, boosting capacity to meet rising demand, support sustainable growth and create new jobs. The expansion increases the total site footprint by 40%, just over 10,000 m², larger than before.
Production capacity has been increased with a MAGIC all-electric multi-layer blow-moulding machine, new moulds for 5L and 10L canisters, and automated packing and palletising systems to improve efficiency and reduce manual handling.
WERiT supplies clients across the food and beverage, chemical and petrochemical sectors. Customers include KTC Edibles, Regus Sugar, Kerry Ingredients, GreenChem, Tetrosyl, and Autosmart.
As part of its long-term sustainability plan, WERiT is installing solar panels, introducing electric forklifts, EV charging points, and aiming to become a paperless site by 2028.
Employee numbers have increased from 50 to 59, with further recruitment planned.
The company maintains strong links with Salford University and the Greater Manchester Growth Hub to support skills development and regional economic participation.
The expansion has been funded internally by the parent WERiT Group, showing its commitment to long-term strategic growth without depending on external investors.
Sunny Prakash, Managing Director of WERiT, said: “The expansion of our premises marks a pivotal moment for WERiT. Since establishing ourselves in Greater Manchester in 2003, we have grown by serving customers nationwide. Now, by increasing our capacity, modernising our infrastructure and advancing sustainability, we are better positioned than ever to deliver quality, reliability and innovation. This project is not just about buildings and machines but about creating long-term value for our customers, employees, and community, and strengthening our contribution to the economy of Salford and Greater Manchester.”
Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said: “We're delighted that WERIT has chosen to invest £8m to upgrade and expand their existing site in Irlam. WERIT is an important advanced manufacturing company in the Salford area, working closely with partners such as the City Council, MIDAS and the University of Salford, to support the local economy and provide opportunities for local talent. This expansion is an example of how Salford and Greater Manchester are attracting important investment, helping to grow the local economy and create skilled jobs”.
David Hilton, Business Development Director at MIDAS, Manchester’s Inward Investment Agency, said: “WERiT's latest investment demonstrates how Greater Manchester continues to attract world-class businesses from across the globe.
“Bringing state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities to Salford, combined with their partnerships with Manchester and Salford universities on sustainable innovation, and work with local schools to develop pathways into great jobs shows the benefits of long-term thinking, commitment and collaboration typified by WERiT and the Greater Manchester ecosystem.”
The expansion is already providing tangible benefits. It directly supports the Salford economy by reinforcing WERiT’s commitment to investing not only in infrastructure but also in people. Sustainability remains central to the development, with initiatives in energy efficiency, renewable power, electrification, and a company-wide pledge to attain a paperless operation by 2028.