Carlsberg Britvic is investing £20 million in a new soft drinks canning line and building extension at its Rugby factory, located on the Glebe Farm Industrial Estate.
Over the last five years, the site – which produces some of the UK’s leading soft drinks including Tango and Pepsi – has seen more than £60 million in investment; with this latest injection creating more than 30 new jobs.
The new line will drive up production capacity at Rugby, taking the factory’s total number of canning lines up to 10. This will enable Carlsberg Britvic to go from producing 560,000 canned soft drinks an hour to 610,000.
The investment will also see 34 new jobs created in roles across engineering and manufacturing. Recruitment is underway, with the total number of employees at the site poised to increase to more than 430 people.
“This investment underscores our commitment to continuous improvement and innovation in our supply chain. By expanding our production capacity, we can meet the growing demand for our popular brands, create more jobs, and enhance our operational efficiency,” said Nigel Paine, VP of production at Carlsberg Britvic.
The Rugby factory benefits from its proximity to packaging supplier Ardagh Group, with cans arriving via an underground passage from the neighbouring facility. This efficient supply chain setup supports Carlsberg Britvic’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions, further supported by a government grant for sustainability initiatives.
This announcement follows previous investments into the Rugby facility, including a £1.15 million investment earlier this year into sustainability improvements, a £13 million canning line in 2023 and a £27 million canning line in 2021. These investments are part of Carlsberg Britvic’s broader strategy to enhance its supply chain and production capabilities.
Carlsberg Britvic has also recently invested £4 million in a new logistics hub strategically located at Junction 12 of the M6 north of Wolverhampton.
Minister for investment Jason Stockwood added: “This latest investment is a strong vote of confidence in our world class food and drink industry – the largest manufacturing sector here in the UK. Not only will their expansion boost production, but it will strengthen the supply chain and help drive economic growth.
“The new canning line will create more than 30 jobs in Rugby, supporting the local community and putting more money in people’s pockets – a clear example of our Plan for Change in action."
The Group was formed in January 2025 following Carlsberg’s acquisition of Britvic that saw the business becoming the largest multi-beverage supplier in the UK and Carlsberg Group’s largest market by revenue.
Its portfolio includes Carlsberg Danish Pilsner, 1664, Birrificio Angelo Poretti, Brooklyn Brewery beers, Hobgoblin, Fruit Shoot, Tango, and Jimmy’s Iced Coffee. Under exclusive PepsiCo agreements, the company is also licensed to make, market and sell Pepsi MAX, 7UP, Lipton Ice Tea, and Rockstar Energy.
