The Lucozade and Ribena owner’s factory upgrade will form part of a wider supply chain investment programme, in which over £57 million has been earmarked to boost its manufacturing capabilities across the UK.
Suntory’s Coleford factory, which is now in its 80th year of operations, will see the new ‘Apollo 5’ line replace two older Ribena lines that currently separate production of concentrate and ready-to-drink formats.
This “cutting edge” new line has been designed to future-proof the facility, and is expected to be operational in 2027 – when Lucozade will be celebrating its centenary.
Crafted to “improve efficiency” and “reduce operational complexity”, the line will be built in a former production area on site and will use aseptic technology, which leverages heat and pressurised air to clean bottles and requires less energy and water when filling.
The line will also produce Lucozade, and rapid changeovers between both brands will allow the production of 55,000 bottles per hour on a single line.
“We’re not just replacing factory lines, we’re embracing new technology to future proof our operations and make them more efficient,” said Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I supply chain director, Karl Ottomar.
“None of this would be possible without the incredible dedication of our Coleford team and the expertise from our Suntory colleagues in Japan who continue to drive improvements across the site. This new line is a big step forward, giving us the capability to keep growing and innovating for years to come.”
The upgrade marks the latest development in a series of investments at Coleford, which also include a major sustainability project announced last year to electrify the factory and reduce its reliance on a gas turbine.
Locally, £2.1 million is expected to be spent by Suntory with local organisations across Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, and South Wales during construction, with the new line set to help sustain hundreds of skilled roles throughout the region.
Matt Bishop, MP for the Forest of Dean added: “This investment is welcome news for the Forest of Dean. It underlines Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I’s long-term commitment to the area and the skilled people who work there, producing two of Britain’s most known brands.
“It also shows how our area can be central to the UK’s growth mission, driving innovation and manufacturing excellence right here, from the heart of the Forest of Dean.”
Elsewhere, Arla Foods has invested €300 million into new Swedish cheese site - marking the largest single commitment on record in Swedish food production.
