I am very pleased to welcome the positive news that Lucozade Ribena Suntory (LRS) is investing £13 million to install a new, high-speed bottle filler at their factory in Coleford.
The new filler will produce 1.3 million bottles a day and will be instrumental in increasing productivity and efficiency at the LRS factory. The investment will see approximately £10m spent on new production and processing equipment with a further £3m invested directly in local contractors who will build and install the supporting infrastructure.
The new line will be staffed by factory employees that Lucozade Ribena Suntory has trained through its use of the apprenticeship levy, which has seen LRS recruit and train apprentices to strengthen the engineering skillset at Coleford.
Using the latest technology, the new filler will also support sustainability by reducing the amount of water and energy used during the manufacturing process. The amount of water and energy required to produce each bottle will be reduced by 40%.
These investments underpin the company’s continued commitment to the future of UK manufacturing, its Coleford factory and the Gloucestershire region.
The installation of the new filler is set to commence in spring 2019 and it is expected to be fully operational by the end of the year.
I am delighted that Lucozade Ribena Suntory has made such a large vote of confidence in the Forest of Dean and the fantastic people who live and work here.
For Lucozade Ribena Suntory’s Coleford team to be considered truly world class is testament to the hard work and professionalism of everybody at the site.
I have enjoyed visiting the Coleford factory and meeting some of the staff there on a number of occasions. Being presented with a bespoke bottle of Ribena, from the Coleford Site Manager Mick Pedder, to celebrate their brand new recipe was a particular highlight.
I have worked closely with Lucozade Ribena Suntory’s leadership and the team at Coleford throughout my time as Member of Parliament for the Forest of Dean and, thanks to this £13 million investment, I look forward to doing so for many years to come.