Suntory Beverage & Food Great Britain & Ireland (SBF GB&I), the proud producer of Lucozade and Ribena, today announces a £25m investment in a new manufacturing line at its Coleford factory.
This factory upgrade forms part of a bigger supply chain investment programme from the business – in the 80th year since the factory was built – dedicating over £57 million to boost manufacturing capability.
The new line, which will help to future-proof the site, is expected to be operational in 2027, the year the Lucozade brand celebrates its centenary, and will ensure the factory is producing its great-tasting, functional drinks for many years to come.
Improving efficiency
This singular line replaces two older Ribena lines that currently separate production of concentrate and ready-to-drink formats. This will improve efficiency and reduce operational complexity. Built in an old production area on site, the new line, called ‘Apollo 5’, will use aseptic technology, leveraging heat and pressurised air to clean the bottles and requiring 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.
The upgrade marks the latest step in a wider investment programme at the Coleford factory, which includes a major sustainability project announced last year to electrify the factory and reduce its reliance on a gas turbine.
Elise Seibold, Chief Operating Officer, Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I, comments: “This next chapter is about investing in our factory to strengthen the future of two iconic British brands, Lucozade and Ribena. We’re dedicating £25 million to this new line to set us up for long-term success and it wouldn’t be possible without the support from our Suntory owners in Japan. As we celebrate 80 years since our factory was first built, it reinforces our commitment to the Forest of Dean in the South West and we’re proud to be major contributors to the regional economy.”
Enabling economic growth
The announcement reflects SBF GB&I’s ongoing commitment to boost productivity and support long term growth in the UK. It’s expected that £2.1 million will be spent with local organisations across Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, and South Wales during construction. As one of the largest employers in the area, the new line will help sustain hundreds of skilled roles, backing the people, technology and manufacturing capability to keep growing its iconic brands.
Through its heritage site in the Forest of Dean, SBF GB&I combines deep British roots and Japanese innovation to craft unique, high-quality drinks. Suntory’s Monozukuri philosophy drives the business relentlessly to improve day after day, executing every step of production with meticulous attention.
Matt Bishop, MP For the Forest of Dean says, “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.”
Delivering on sustainability
The new line will also support progress towards the company’s sustainability goals, unlocking capability for new sustainable packaging projects across its brands. The focus on sustainability is core to SBF GB&I’s company value of ‘Growing for Good’ – a commitment to ensuring that growth and positive impact are always connected.
Work on the new line will begin this year with the first production run expected in early 2027.
