Dec 10, 2008 – A MALVERN-based business is bucking the trend of financial doom and gloom as it prepares to open a new £2m extension at its premises on the Enigma Business Park.

The project, due for completion in mid-December, will provide Automated Packaging Systems (APS) with an additional 50 per cent, 25,000 sq ft, of manufacturing space.

APS produces about 900m polythene bags every year, and had reached its maximum operational capacity before the extension was built.

Managing director Peter Wylie said: “This will allow us to continue to expand our manufacturing capability. We have got to the stage with the existing building where we would not be able to grow any more, and we have some pretty positive growth plans in place for the next five to ten years.”

APS started in Ledbury in 1984, and moved to Tewkesbury before coming to the Enigma Park 12 years ago. The new extension represents the biggest capital investment made in the business since its move to the town.

While Mr Wylie acknowledges the difficulties facing firms in the current financial climate, he believes APS is better placed than most to “weather the storm”.

“One of the fortunate positions we are in is that our customer base is spread across a very broad spectrum of industry,” he said. “There is no doubt that we will get hit by what is going to happen over the next 12 months, but while we will be hit in some areas, others will keep growing.

“We are still budgeting for growth next year, and if we achieve our plans then we will need to look at taking on additional people.”

APS has recently acquired the innovative capacity to re-use the scrap material generated in its production into packaging material in its own right.

Mr Wylie said: “This is something that reduces cost, but also the amount of virgin material that we have to use. It’s not exactly saving the planet, but at least it is helping to slow down the rate at which it is deteriorating. We are doing what we can.”