UK | Suntory Beverage & Food Great Britain & Ireland announced a GBP 25 million investment in a new manufacturing line at its Coleford factory.
This factory upgrade formed part of a larger supply chain investment programme from the business, marking the 80th year since the factory was built and dedicating over GBP 57 million to boost manufacturing capability.
The new line, which will help future-proof the site, is expected to be operational in 2027, the year the Lucozade brand celebrates its centenary, and will ensure the factory continues to produce its great-tasting, functional drinks for many years to come.
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 a former production area on site, the new line, called ‘Apollo 5’, will use aseptic technology, leveraging heat and pressurised air to clean the bottles, requiring less energy and water during filling. The line will also produce Lucozade, and rapid changeovers between the two brands will enable it to produce 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.
“This next chapter is about investing in our factory to strengthen the future of two iconic British brands, Lucozade and Ribena. We’re dedicating GBP 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,” said Elise Seibold, Chief Operating Officer, Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I.
“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.”
Clearance of the old factory lines is underway at SBF GB&I’s Coleford site, marking the first step in the installation of the new GBP 25 million “Apollo 5” line.
“We’re not just replacing factory lines, we’re embracing new technology to future-proof our operations and make them more efficient,” said Karl Ottomar, Supply Chain Director, Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I.
“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 announcement reflects SBF GB&I’s ongoing commitment to boost productivity and support long-term growth in the UK. It’s expected that GBP 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 has combined 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.
The new line will also support progress towards the company’s sustainability goals, unlocking the capability for new sustainable packaging projects across its brands.
Work on the new line will begin this year, with the first production run expected in early 2027.
