Ribena and Lucozade factory gets £25m investment from Suntory

Japanese drinks company says move will secure Coleford factory

Japanese drinks giant Suntory is investing £25m in its Gloucestershire Ribena and Lucozade manufacturing site to secure its future for years ahead. Suntory is constructing a new production line at its 80-year-old Coleford plant and says the project will be finished by next year when Lucozade celebrates its centenary.

Suntory says the Forest of Dean investment “will ensure the factory is producing its great-tasting, functional drinks for many years to come”. It forms part of a broader £57m investment by the Japanese firm in its manufacturing and supply chain infrastructure.

The new line at Coleford, called “Apollo 5”, will replace two older Ribena production lines. It will employ new technology to clean bottles using less energy and water.

The line will also be used to manufacture Lucozade and will be capable of switching rapidly between the two products. Suntory says it will be able to produce 55,000 bottles per hour.

Suntory has previously announced investments in Coleford, including a sustainability initiative last year to electrify the plant and diminish its reliance on gas power, reports Gloucestershire Live.

Elise Seibold, chief operating officer at Suntory Beverage and Food Great Britain and Ireland, said: “This next chapter is about investing in our factory to strengthen the future of two iconic British brands, Lucozade and Ribena.

“We’re dedicating £25m 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.”

Suntory has also pledged to collaborate with businesses across the South West, confirming that throughout the construction phase, some £2.1m will be channelled into organisations spanning Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, and South Wales.

Matt Bishop, MP for the Forest of Dean, said: “This investment is welcome news for the Forest of Dean. It underlines Suntory Beverage and Food G&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.”