Christmas starts early for Festive Productions which is now ramping up manufacturing following a major investment in structural improvements that was supported by the Welsh Government.
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
Festive Productions – the UK’s largest manufacturer of tinsel – had to replace nearly half of the 250,000 sq. ft. roof at its factory in Ty Coch Way, Cwmbran, in a £455,500 investment supported by £150,000 repayable business finance from the Welsh Government. The major refurbishment was completed in time for their peak production period which is now underway
The significant investment has also safeguarded approximately 130 seasonal jobs that are created annually during the three month peak in production.
Festive Productions is now on track to produce around 200,000 metres of tinsel a month in the run up to Christmas 2016 supplying bespoke products to their customers which include grocers, high street retailers, garden centres and independent retail stores.
Economy Cabinet Secretary Ken Skates said:
“Festive Productions supports a large number of well paid jobs and I am pleased Welsh Government support has helped safeguard employment and that production for the coming festive season is now well under way.
“The company has a long association with Wales when they began making tinsel and Christmas decorations in Newport more than thirty years ago. I am happy to say the company has continued to invest and expand in Wales to become the largest manufacturer of its kind in the UK and this investment ensures the company continues to manufacture in Wales.”
Festive Chairman John Saunders commented:
“As a major local employer we work closely with the Welsh Government to safeguard jobs and manufacturing in South Wales. The assistance with funding which we have received is another example of this successful partnership and allows us to concentrate on continuing to grow our business.”
Festive Productions creates a wide range of products for the Christmas decoration market and works closely with major retailers to develop bespoke product ranges including baubles, tinsel, wreaths, lights and artificial trees. It also has licence agreements with Disney and Universal.
Quality has always been the company’s hallmark and its products are superior to imported products making it the preferred supplier for many leading brands across the UK.
It opened its first facility in Newport in 1983 before moving to a 17 acre head office site in Cwmbran in 2000.