United Caps Recognised With Prestigious BLCC Golden Bridge Award
Award presented to the most successful Belgian and Luxembourg companies exporting to or trading in the UK
United Caps, an international manufacturer of caps and closures, today reported that it has been recognised with the prestigious Golden Bridge Award for its establishment of a successful manufacturing plant in Dinnington, Sheffield, UK. The factory was constructed of 10 acres of land, it accommodates 15 production lines and employs 34 talented staff members.
“We are pleased to be recognised with this prestigious award for our success with the Dinnington plant at the 22nd edition of this award presentation,” said CEO Benoit Henckes. “Production began in the third quarter of 2020 and is expected to generate sales in excess of £10 million in 2022, with growth expected to more than double in 2023. The plant is expected to reach profitability in just three short years and is producing 2 billion closures with plenty of runway for future growth. The plant is ultra-modern, highly energy efficient and features an innovative layout that is completely in line with our efficiency and sustainability goals.”
In its 22nd year, the award ceremony was hosted by the Ambassador of Belgium HE Mr. Bruno van der Pluijm at his residence in London. The event is in support of the Royal Belgian Benevolent Society charity which helps UK-based Belgians in need and Belgian students studying in the UK.
The United Caps Advantage
In applying for this award, United Caps cited the transformation of its activities from importing caps and closures to producing them in the UK, as part of the company’s Close To You promise. Not only does this important industrial investment in the UK deliver welcome employment to the Sheffield region, but it also provides sustainable growth through the manufacturing of tethered closures and of lower weight yet highly functional closures. The building and its production operations feature high-energy efficiency, also in line with the company’s sustainability heritage.
Henckes was accompanied by a United Caps delegation and thanked his team for their efforts during his acceptance speech. “We are honoured to join the hall of fame which includes a number of world-class companies that have been awarded the Golden Bridge Award over the past 21 years,” Henckes added. “The combination of food and non-food caps and closures, as well as our ability to produce bespoke closures, which represents about 50% of our business, has placed us in an optimum position to continue growing and expanding in the Dinnington location. This includes the possibility of expanding from our current 6,000 square metre facility to a larger plant of up to 20,000 square metres over time, bringing much-needed employment to this underserved region. We are grateful to the BLCC Jury for recognising the efforts our company has placed on expanding and growing the Dinnington plant, and thus providing more efficient and localised service to the UK market.”