i2r Packaging Solutions has announced ambitious expansion plans, with a £1.5 million investment to develop its Telford site over the next 12 months.

New buildings, tools and production lines are all planned, to meet a sharp rise in demand for its smoothwall and wrinklewall aluminum containers; turnover in 2014 has increased by 24%, with a similar rise predicted in 2015.

In October 2014, i2r moved to a seven day, 24-hour working structure. As a result it has increased staff numbers from 45 to 60, and delivered an additional 40% in production capacity.

Peter Reay, chief executive, said: "Meeting our growth requirements is vital but so too is remaining flexible for shorter production runs and short notice peaks in demand. We mirror many of our customers’ working patterns."

Ground works for two new warehouse storage units are expected to start early in the next few months.

The company is working closely with Telford & Wrekin Council and has taken great care to ensure that new buildings integrate into the existing structure with minimal impact on the surrounding area.

In line with i2r’s environmental credentials, the units are being designed to a high specification including solar roof panelling and intelligent ultra-low power LED internal lighting.

When complete, the business will benefit from an additional 3,000 pallet locations and an extra four production lines.

Alongside Italian parent company Contital, i2r also plans to extend its product portfolio and build an additional 35 wrinklewall foil tools over the next two years.

Commercial director Jon West said: "The speed of growth is phenomenal and we are very proud of what we’ve achieved in such a short space of time. Given the economic position and competitive marketplace, we think it is a remarkable story."

"Our drive will be to continue to expand our smoothwall offering worldwide, but also to give choice to the UK and mainland European market on the traditional wrinklewall foil market."

"Our wealth of engineering and technical experience throughout the group is vital when introducing new products and innovations on such a regular basis. Offering greater choices to the market is vital for our long term expansion plans. Standing still is not an option."

i2r, which was established in 2007, now exports directly to 18 countries, including the USA, Australia, South Africa and various mainland European destinations.

Parent company, Laminazione Sottile, was recently honoured with an Industrial Investment Award at the eighth edition of the UK-Italy Business Awards, organised by the British Consulate General in Milan and UK Trade & Investment (Ukti), the government agency for export and investment promotion.