Kent & Medway Manufacturing Focus Group (KMFG) – Site Visit

26th February 2025

*PLEASE NOTE* There are a limited number of places available due to capacity restrictions and as a result of these constraints we are only accepting one representative per organisation at this specific event and we will prioritise manufacturing and engineering organisations in the first instance.

Booking via this webpage is an expression of interest and we will confirm your attendance via email. 

If we reach full capacity, a waiting list will be established, and those on the list will be notified accordingly. 

** Only registered attendees will be admitted to the event ** Please book your place now to avoid disappointment.

Pictures may be taken at this event. If you do not wish your picture to be taken, please let us know ahead of the event.

Kent & Medway Manufacturing Focus Group (KMFG) is a networking and business group for Manufacturing & Engineering organisations across Kent and Medway offering a unique access to peers and colleagues, sector specific information, advice and support.

The group meets every last Wednesday of the month, either in person or online, see our website for details of future events https://kentemployerskillsplan.org/

KMFG is open to all organisations operating or directly supporting the Manufacturing and Engineering sector in Kent & Medway, whether they are chamber members or not.

Kent & Medway Manufacturing Focus Group (KMFG) – February

Site Visit to Smurfit Westrock UK Paper Mill

Mill Street, Snodland, Townsend, Hook ME6 5AX

Wednesday 26th February, 9.15am-12pm

Smurfit Westrock, a global leader in sustainable paper and packaging, are kindly opening the doors to their Snodland based facility to our Kent & Medway Manufacturing Focus Group.  Attendees will be introduced to their business followed by a tour of their paper mill where we will be guided through the process of how they reprocess wastepaper and cardboard back into sustainable packaging.

The Townsend Hook Paper Mill is one of a European network of Smurfit Westrock paper mills which are all connected by a single, optimised supply chain system.

Smurfit Westrock operates a sophisticated Combined Heat and Power Plant (CHP) to reduce carbon emissions and increase the profitability of its Paper Mill in Kent, alongside a wastewater treatment plant to minimise the effluent discharges from the site.

An upgraded CHP, which provides steam and electricity for the paper machine, started up in 2018 and has slashed the mill’s carbon footprint by approximately 15%. Earlier this year, Smurfit Westrock reported reaching its fossil CO2 emission reduction target three years ahead of schedule, although work continues for our long-term target of net zero.

The multi-million-pound investments in the mill over the past decade have also increased the capabilities of the Townsend Hook paper machine to meet the growing demand in the UK and Ireland for lightweight containerboard. This is used to make corrugated packaging which is sought after in a growing number of applications due to its renewable, recyclable and sustainable nature as part of the circular economy.

Itinerary

  • 9:15am – Arrival & Registration – Tea, coffee & pastries
  • 9.30am – Overview of Smurfit Westrock Paper Mill – Alistair McAndie, Health, Safety, Environment & Compliance Manager
  • 10:00am – Factory Tour
  • 11:30am – Recap & Q&A
  • 12.00pm – Depart

Book your place here.

There is ample parking on site.  On arrival, please park just before the Gatehouse and then head to the Gatehouse where a member of staff will direct you to the Experience Room.

The event is free to attend and the relevant PPE will be provided, please provide foot sizes prior to arrival if possible to help with set up on the day.

The site is a strict no-smoking or vaping environment.  There are typical hazards on site for an industrial site, and a safety brief will be provided prior to the tour.

If you have any special dietary requirements please let us know before the event.

Contact us today