A Dundee company is reconstructing its infrastructure to ensure it is fully fit to play on the big stage.
Rockwell Solutions has invested £8 million and three years of research and development in its “Rockstar” machine to produce solvent-free lidding for the food packaging market.
Seventy metres long, the machine is set to revolutionise the global industry in peelable lidding film for all tray types.
Removing solvent from the production process will save the Wester Gourdie firm an estimated £3 million a year.
Major food manufacturers are queueing up to find out more about the machine and some have already placed orders for the new type of film lidding.
Company chairman Dr Aziz Okhai predicted production and profitability will soar through “Rockstar” and the company’s workforce will double to around 140.
He explained: “We think Rockstar will be ready to become fully operational by the end of this year.
“We have encountered a few production issues – the machine was designed and built by ourselves and is unique.
“As there’s not another one in the world, we’ve not been able to compare it with anything and learn from similar machines.
“We have addressed the issues that have cropped up and there has been nothing that has dented our expectations for the success of our machine.
“We want to have all the infrastructure in place to ensure it is as effective as possible and can deliver the best results.”
New head of sales Sandra Evans said: “To grow the business we have to have the foundations in place.
“We have to test the market and validate the product along with some partners to increase the upsale of what comes off Rockstar.
“We are growing our sales team and I have been brought in for us to expand on a global basis to ensure we have a footprint in all the key areas where we have the vision of our five year plan.
“We are looking first at the United States and Canada, because we speak the same language, and then Australia and South Africa.
“We sell into these areas already but we have an expansion plan which we are keen to implement.
“We are also looking at direct sectors to market the products that come off Rockstar.
“As well as a bigger sales team our technical operations team will expand and they will bring in a third shift system for production.
“All of this will take Rockstar and the company to the next level.”
