Celebrating Fordham's 25th Anniversary
On Friday 23rd June, DS Smith along with over 500 members of the local community came together to celebrate the 25th anniversary of its corrugated packaging manufacturing plant in Fordham, Cambridgeshire.
A Quarter-Century of Community & Innovation
Since its opening, in 1998 by the late Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, Fordham has been a core part of the local community and a steady source of employment; comprising of around 300 people from areas like Ely and Burwell.
In 2015, the site increased its capacity to 190 million square metres and extended its operating hours to 24/7, creating a further 50 new jobs.
With over a third of employees serving for over a decade, some original team members from the site's inception 25 years ago are still employed. Beyond on-site employees, the plant also employs 40 drivers as part of its fleet.
It is an honour to represent DS Smith as the Fordham General Manager, being part of the original team starting up the site it has been a pleasure being involved in the site’s journey. It was great to see so many of our teams past and present attending the day.
To celebrate Fordham’s 25th anniversary, over 500 guests, including DS Smith employees, family, friends, and other members of the local community gathered for a celebration last Saturday, 24 June. The day consisted of funfair activities, a petting zoo and catering, as well as family tours of the site.
Guests also visited the Impact Centre, where some of DS Smith’s most innovative solutions come to life, highlighting the powerful role packaging plays in the Circular Economy. Sir Jim Paice, former MP for South East Cambridgeshire, who did the plant’s first soil cut at its opening, also attended and planted a new tree on site to commemorate the occasion.
We were so pleased to gather with our colleagues and their families to mark our Fordham plant’s 25th anniversary. The plant has been part of our community since it opened in 1998, creating jobs and fuelling growth for our region. We can’t wait to see what the next 25 years holds.
Scott Fallan, Cluster Director – UK South at DS Smith, said: “We were so pleased to gather with our colleagues and their families to mark our Fordham plant’s 25th anniversary. The plant has been part of our community since it opened in 1998, creating jobs and fuelling growth for our region. We can’t wait to see what the next 25 years holds.”
Longstanding employee & Employee Forum Rep Ricki Renni said: “I’ve worked for DS Smith at the Fordham plant since it first opened in 1998. I was so pleased to be able to join the celebrations at the weekend with my colleagues and family. It’s been lovely to celebrate this milestone with everyone.”
Sir Jim Paice, former MP for South East Cambridgeshire, said: “It is a privilege to return to the Fordham site and to see how much its employees are thriving. From cutting the first soil to now planting a commemorative tree, I’m delighted to have been able to join the DS Smith family and local community to celebrate this occasion.”