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Suntory Beverage and Food GBI (SBF GB&I) has announced a 14.5 million pound investment in a blackcurrant processing facility located in Ledbury, Herefordshire. In partnership with Bevisol Ltd, a division of the Döhler Group, the site aims to modernise fruit preparation and improve processing efficiency for the company's Ribena brand.

The facility is scheduled to be operational in time for the upcoming blackcurrant harvest. By situating the plant closer to the heart of the growing regions and the main SBF GB&I factory, the company intends to streamline its logistics and fruit preparation processes.

The Future of British Farming

The investment introduces several technologies designed to improve efficiency, traceability, and operational performance throughout the blackcurrant processing cycle:

• Advanced evaporators: Powered by vapour recompression technology to support high-capacity processing.

• Cleanable membrane filtration: Replaces conventional filtration methods to improve operational efficiency.

• Automated handling systems: Includes automated weighing, tipping, and handling systems to enhance consistency across the operation.

• Digital tracking: Implementation of digital smart tag tracking on fruit bins to improve visibility throughout the supply chain.

Karl Ottomar, Supply Chain Director at SBF GB&I, noted that the facility represents a milestone for the company’s supply chain, allowing for continued collaboration with long-standing British growers.

Supporting Growers and Rural Communities

SBF GB&I sources blackcurrants from 33 farms across five UK regions, representing approximately 10,500 tonnes of fruit harvested annually over a six-week summer period. The new facility is expected to create 12 new full-time roles and an additional 30 seasonal positions in the region.

This development forms part of a wider 57.5 million pound programme of investment by Suntory Beverage and Food across its UK supply chain. Other projects include manufacturing capacity improvements and emission reduction initiatives at the company’s Coleford factory, including plans to upgrade electricity connections and install a new manufacturing line in 2027.