Investment and growth opportunities at a Monmouth packaging plant were discussed on Monday (26th February) when Business Minister Edwina Hart met the new owner of the site.

The DS Smith Tri-Wall facility in Monmouth, which manufactures heavy duty corrugated packaging for a range of industry sectors, has been sold by the DS Smith Packaging group to Tri-Wall Ltd of Hong Kong, which operates throughout Asia.

The acquisition unites the Tri-Wall license holders in one group that now covers Europe, China, South East Asia and India, providing opportunities to invest to grow the brand.

The Minister met Yuji Suzuki, founder and chairman of Tri-Wall Ltd, the Hong Kong-based holding company of the Tri-Wall Group, during his first visit to the Monmouth site.

The Minister said: "I had a very instructive meeting with Mr Suzuki when we discussed his vision for the future of the Monmouth facility.

"The acquisition by Tri-Wall Ltd offers potential to expand operations in Wales and has been warmly welcomed by the Monmouth management team.

"The Monmouth plant is an extremely well equipped and well run operation, providing a wide range of packaging options to customers throughout Europe.

"It is therefore very encouraging to hear Mr Suzuki speak about the exciting, long-term prospects for growth that this integration will bring.

"The Welsh Government will work with Tri-Wall to support their operation in Wales to ensure it continues to prosper."

The acquisition is viewed by the Tri-Wall Group as an opportunity to expand its European presence and  allow the Group to offer a seamless, global service across Asia and Europe, and to more effectively pursue expansion plans in Eastern Europe, Russia, the Middle East and India.

The 17,200 sq m Monmouth site, which employs 132 people, is equipped with heavy-duty/ specialty converting equipment, and has an industry leading on-site testing laboratory.

It's heavy duty corrugated packaging is used for exporting manufactured products mainly in the automotive and engineering sectors.