The latest food and beverage industry news and trend analysis

Suntory Beverage & Food Great Britain & Ireland has announced a £25 million capital investment to install a state-of-the-art manufacturing line at its historic Coleford factory in the Forest of Dean.

The infrastructure upgrade is a central pillar of a broader £57 million supply chain investment program designed to boost manufacturing capability and "future-proof" the production of two of the UK's highest-volume soft drink brands: Lucozade and Ribena.

The new line is slated to become fully operational in 2027, coinciding perfectly with the Lucozade brand's centenary celebrations.

Consolidating RTD and Concentrate

A primary strategic driver for the £25 million injection is the reduction of operational complexity. The new single line—internally dubbed ‘Apollo 5’—will directly replace two older Ribena lines that currently separate the production of concentrate squashes and ready-to-drink (RTD) formats.

By consolidating these workflows, SBF GB&I will significantly streamline its factory floor. Furthermore, Apollo 5 is engineered for high agility; it will also produce Lucozade, featuring rapid changeover capabilities between the two distinct brands. Once operational, the line will be capable of producing up to 55,000 bottles per hour.

Karl Ottomar, Supply Chain Director at SBF GB&I, highlighted the operational leap: “We’re not just replacing factory lines, we’re embracing new technology to future-proof our operations and make them more efficient... This new line is a big step forward, giving us the capability to keep growing and innovating for years to come.”

Aseptic Technology and Sustainability Targets

The Apollo 5 line will integrate advanced aseptic technology, leveraging heat and pressurised air to clean the bottles prior to filling. This modernised process requires significantly less energy and water than legacy washing systems, directly supporting the company’s ‘Growing for Good’ ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) targets.

This efficiency upgrade builds upon a major sustainability initiative announced for the Coleford site last year, which involves electrifying the factory to drastically reduce its reliance on gas turbines.

Long-Term UK Commitment

The Coleford site is currently celebrating its 80th year of operation. For B2B partners and the regional economy, the investment signals Suntory's long-term commitment to domestic UK manufacturing, blending its Japanese Monozukuri (craftsmanship and continuous improvement) philosophy with British heritage brands.

Elise Seibold, Chief Operating Officer of SBF GB&I, commented:

During the construction and clearance phase—which is already underway—the company expects to inject approximately £2.1 million into local organisations and contractors across Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, and South Wales, helping to sustain hundreds of skilled manufacturing roles in the region.