Rexam to expand in Hot Springs, add 150 jobs

Rexam announced Wednesday (June 23) it will expand its current operations in the region, creating more than 150 new jobs by the end of 2010.

The company now employs 250 in Hot Springs, and has begun hiring for manufacturing and supervisory positions.

Based in London, the company is the second largest consumer packaging company in the world. It’s primary products are beverage cans and rigid plastic packaging. The company employs roughly 24,000 people in more than 20 countries.

Rexam’s Hot Springs plant manufactures injection and compression molded plastic jars and closures. It is part of Rexam’s global plastics business which operates more than 40 plants and employs more than 13,000 people around the world. The division caters to the healthcare, closures, food and personal care markets.

“Consistent with our restructuring plan to match beverage closures demand with capacity, we are consolidating operations resulting in the creation of jobs in Hot Springs,” Malcolm Harrison, group director, Rexam Plastic Packaging, said in a statement from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. “This expansion shows our commitment to supporting customer growth by building on our existing efficient high-quality operations and continuing our focus on delivering world-class quality products and services to our customers.”

The company’s shares trade on the London Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange. It’s NYSE shares closed Wednesday at $18.60, up 45 cents. During the past 52 weeks the share price has ranged from a $19.30 high to a $9.61 low.