Sustainable packaging solutions provider Sonoco plans to establish its first global capability centre (GCC) in Hyderabad within Telangana, India.

The centre, formally named the Sonoco Performance Hub (SPH), represents a strategic initiative for the 125-year-old Fortune 500 company, which boasts annual revenues of $7bn to $8bn.

The Times of India has reported that the company plans to invest up to $10m in the first phase of the SPH.

Over the next 12-18 months, Sonoco aims to recruit approximately 300 engineers, with a longer-term goal of hiring 500 technology professionals within three years.

The chosen location for the SPH is near an IKEA store in HITEC City, a major technology township in Hyderabad.

Operations at the new facility are anticipated to begin by May this year.

Sonoco vice-president and CIO Rajeev Ankireddypalli was quoted by the news agency as saying: “Through the SPH we aim to drive operational excellence through digital services.

“While we're starting with technology services focused on process automation and innovation, our vision is to expand our capabilities as a true GCC to make this a comprehensive capability centre for other business processes as well.”

Rajeev further added that Sonoco has a technology team of 700 within a global workforce of 30,000.

Last month, Sonoco concluded the acquisition of Eviosys, a European metal packaging company.

The deal is part of Sonoco’s portfolio transformation strategy, designed to drive long-term growth and value creation.