More than 500 people marked 25 years of packaging company, DS Smith’s, Fordham plant on June 23. 

Since its opening, the plant now has nearly 300 employees on site from local areas including Ely and Burwell, and is where DS Smith manufactures corrugated packaging solutions for a broad selection of industries, including houshold names. 

To celebrate Fordham’s 25th anniversary, guests including DS Smith employees, families, friends, and other members gathered for a celebration. 

The day consisted of funfair activities, a petting zoo and catering, as well as family tours of the site. 

Ely Standard: To celebrate Fordham’s 25th anniversary, guests including DS Smith employees, families, friends, and other members gathered for a celebration. To celebrate Fordham’s 25th anniversary, guests including DS Smith employees, families, friends, and other members gathered for a celebration. (Image: DS Smith Fordham)

Guests also visited the impact centre where some of DS Smith’s ‘most innovative solutions’ come to life. 

Sir Jim Paice, former MP of South East Cambridgeshire, who did the plant’s first soil at its opening, also attended and planted a new tree on site to commemorate the occasion. 

General Manager at DS Smith in Fordham, Gary Cowling, said: “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.   

Ely Standard: The day consisted of funfair activities, a petting zoo and catering, as well as family tours of the site. The day consisted of funfair activities, a petting zoo and catering, as well as family tours of the site. (Image: DS Smith Fordham)

“It was great to see so many of our teams past and present attending the day.” 

Officially opened in 1998 by the late Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, in 2015 Fordham increased its capacity to 190 million square metres and extended its operating hours to 24/7, creating a further 50 new jobs. 

Former MP for South East Cambridgeshire, Sir Jim Paice 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.” 

Ely Standard: Guests also visited the impact centre where some of DS Smith’s ‘most innovative solutions’ come to life. Guests also visited the impact centre where some of DS Smith’s ‘most innovative solutions’ come to life. (Image: DS Smith Fordham)

Ely Standard: Since its opening, the plant now has nearly 300 employees on site from local areas including Ely and Burwell.Since its opening, the plant now has nearly 300 employees on site from local areas including Ely and Burwell. (Image: DS Smith Fordham)