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Lucozade Ribena Suntory to invest £13m at UK factory
Japan-based Suntory Beverage & Food is investing £13m in its UK-based subsidiary Lucozade Ribena Suntory, which will see a new, high-speed bottle filler installed at its factory in Coleford, Gloucestershire.
The new filler will produce 1.3 million bottles a day and will be instrumental in increasing productivity and efficiency at the factory.
The investment will see approximately £10m spent on new production and processing equipment with a further £3m invested directly in local contractors who will build and install supporting infrastructure for the new line.
Lucozade Ribena Suntory is investing £13m to install a new, high-speed bottle filler at its Gloucestershire factory / Picture: LR Suntory
The new line will be staffed by factory employees that Lucozade Ribena Suntory has trained through its use of the apprenticeship levy. The company, one of the leading soft drinks businesses in the UK and Ireland, has used the levy fund to bolster its development programme, which recruits and trains apprentices to strengthen the engineering skillset at Coleford.
They added that these investments underpin the company’s continued commitment to the future of UK manufacturing, its Coleford factory and the Gloucestershire region.
Using the latest technology, the new filler will also support the company’s global sustainability strategy by reducing the amount of water and energy used during the manufacturing process. The amount of water and energy required to produce each bottle will be reduced by 40%.
The installation of the new filler is set to commence in spring 2019 and it is expected to be fully operational by the end of the year.
Chris Kane, Supply Chain Operations Director at Lucozade Ribena Suntory, said: “We see our Coleford factory as the heartbeat of our UK operations and we are proud that it is one of the most efficient factories across the globe.
“Our parent company, Suntory Beverage & Food recognises this status and their £13m investment is a vote of confidence in our UK and Gloucestershire operations, ensuring Coleford continues to be a best-in class site for years to come.”
The investment will support more than 330 jobs on site and secure the future of the UK facility / Picture: LR Suntory
Rt Hon Dr Liam Fox MP, International Trade Secretary, added: “Japan is an important trading partner and we are committed to creating an even stronger trading relationship as we leave the European Union, which will help to increase investment and support jobs throughout the UK.
“This £13 million investment by Lucozade Ribena Suntory in its Gloucestershire factory is great news for local businesses, customers and the economy and will help support more than 330 jobs in the local area.”
Rt Hon Mark Harper MP, Member of Parliament for the Forest of Dean, concluded: “I am delighted that Lucozade Ribena Suntory has made such a large vote of confidence in the Forest of Dean and the fantastic people who live and work here.
“For Lucozade Ribena Suntory’s Coleford team to be considered truly world class is testament to the hard work and professionalism of everybody at the site.
“I have worked closely with Lucozade Ribena Suntory’s leadership and the team at Coleford throughout my time as Member of Parliament for the Forest of Dean and, thanks to this £13 million investment, I look forward to doing so for many years to come.”