L&D Mouldings LTD sell to Weidenhammer UK

The plastic injection moulder L&D Mouldings Ltd has sold its plastic injection moulding business to Weidenhammer UK, Bradford. The family run team based in Mytholmroyd, Hebden Bridge, looks back on almost 20 years as successful trade moulders in the Calder Valley. Weidenhammer UK is part of the German-based Weidenhammer Packaging Group (WPG), one of the world’s two leading suppliers of composite cans, composite drums and plastic containers. Weidenhammer entered the UK market in 2008 and currently plans to grow its UK business by expanding assembly lines for composite cans and launching plastic packaging in the UK.

During the last 10 years, L&D Mouldings LTD has been an important supplier of plastic overcaps and closures for the WPG. The recently completed acquisition marks an important step in Weidenhammer’s plan to establish its own plastic packaging business. "We see a huge potential for plastic packaging solutions in the UK. As the second local manufacturer of packaging with In-Mould Labelling, we see an emerging demand in a modern market," said Ralf Weidenhammer, CEO of the WPG. Together with the Weidenhammer plant in Hockenheim and the main factory in Zwenkau, Bradford is destined to become the third production site for Weidenhammer Plastic Packaging (WPP).

Thanks to its customer service and quality mouldings, L&D Mouldings LTD has gained excellent reputation in the food and beverage industry across the UK. In 2010, the company sales accumulated to some 1.5 million GBP with growing tendency – not at least due to its most important customer, Weidenhammer UK. "In this respect, the progression to continue this relationship under the roof of the composite can factory was a logical step," said David Kendall, Managing Director L&D Mouldings LTD. "I am convinced that the close working relationship will be to the advantage at Weidenhammer’s new premises."

The L&D plastic business will be relocated from its current site in Mytholmroyd and integrated into the new production site of Weidenhammer in Bradford. The existing site will be closed after relocation. Weidenhammer UK has offered all 15 employees of L&D new jobs within Weidenhammer UK. "The expertise of all employees and all assets of L&D will form the solid base of our future plastic business in the UK, partly for our own needs and as well for the expansion of IML containers for customers," said Ralf Weidenhammer. "We are happy to welcome David and his team in Bradford.