Plastic caps and closures manufacturer United Caps has opened its extended R&D facility in Messia, France.

To mark the opening, the company conducted an open house, which was attended by representatives from Nestlé to celebrate the development of a new closure for the company.

The extension of the R&D facility, which involves addition of 200m² of floor space, is aimed at meeting customer demands and to maintain the 50/50 split between standard and bespoke product development.

Alongside the 30% increase in the floor space to 600m², the company increased the workforce by 30% and installed a 3D printer for fast prototyping.

“It was truly a golden moment for our company and our customers.”

United Caps has also undertaken a restructuring of the R&D organisation to be more responsive to market needs, resulting in an average reduction in development time of 10% to 20%.

United Caps CEO Benoit Henckes said: “It was truly a golden moment for our company and our customers.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

“It also gave us a platform to share our experience in the development of a new closure for Nestlé, another Golden Moment worth celebrating.”

The company creates around 50% of the products through the collaboration of its design labs with customers to develop bespoke closures according to their specific requirements.

Nestlé selected United Caps to develop a closure with a classy brushed metal look for its Nescafé Gold coffee that offers visibility on the shelf.

To design the new packaging, the company used a 100% metallic material to be wrapped around the skirt of a closure.

Henckes added: “While the entire project took two years, the first prototypes were delivered in less than a year.

“And the folks in our Messia R&D centre also pitched in to reconfigure operations and make time and room for this important project.”

 

Packaging Gateway Excellence Awards - Have you nominated?

Nominations are now open for the prestigious Packaging Gateway Excellence Awards - one of the industry's most recognised programmes celebrating innovation, leadership, and impact. This is your chance to showcase your achievements, highlight industry advancements, and gain global recognition. Don't miss the opportunity to be honoured among the best - submit your nomination today!

Nominate Now