Quad, a major US packaging and printing company, has confirmed it will open a new packaging facility in Salt Lake City, Utah, during the fourth quarter of 2026. The expansion is part of the firm’s strategy to increase its footprint in the growing e-commerce and retail packaging sector, which has seen sustained demand since the pandemic.
The Salt Lake City site will focus on producing corrugated packaging and point-of-purchase displays, serving clients across the western United States. Quad has not disclosed the exact investment figure or anticipated job creation numbers, but the facility is expected to bolster its production capacity in a region with strong logistics links.
For UK investors, the news comes against a backdrop of rising global packaging costs driven by higher raw material prices and supply chain pressures. The FTSE 100’s packaging and materials sector has been under scrutiny, with shares of companies such as DS Smith and Smurfit Kappa Group experiencing volatility amid fluctuating demand. DS Smith shares are currently trading around 345p, down 1.2% on the day, while Smurfit Kappa is at 3,210p, broadly flat.
Analysts at Peel Hunt noted that while Quad’s US expansion is primarily a domestic play, it reflects a broader trend of reshoring packaging production to reduce reliance on Asian supply chains. “For UK-listed packaging firms, this could mean increased competition in the US market, but also potential opportunities for collaboration or acquisition,” they said.
The move also has implications for UK pension holders who have exposure to global equities through diversified funds. Packaging companies are often seen as bellwethers for consumer spending, and any shift in capacity could influence earnings forecasts. However, the direct impact on UK portfolios is likely to be modest, given Quad’s limited presence in Europe.