Leading soft drinks manufacturer, Britvic, is investing £22.5 million in its sixth bottling line at its East London factory in Beckton – creating 18 new jobs in the community.
Founded in England in the 1930s, today Britvic is a global organisation with 37 much-loved brands sold in over 100 countries.
With product demand growing, the new line is designed to help support Britvic’s long-term growth ambitions in Britain – increasing production capacity at the site by nearly 30%.
The new line, which was officially opened by Britvic CEO Simon Litherland, Chairman Ian Durant and Supply Chain Director Nigel Paine, will produce some of UK’s favourite brands including Tango and Pepsi MAX – with the first products expected to hit shelves in early September.
Nigel Paine, Supply Chain Director at Britvic, said:
“Opening the sixth bottling line at Beckton marks the latest milestone in a series of investments into our supply chain.
“As we continue to grow and meet increasing demand, boosting our capacity at the Beckton site allows us to keep delivering on our goals and create a resilient business.”
Boasting state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment, the sixth line unlocks new technological capabilities – allowing for faster and more efficient production.
As the site completes the line’s commissioning process, new team members will begin on a 12-week training course, to equip them with the technical expertise needed to manage the new installation.
The new recruits will be working in engineering and manufacturing roles and brings the total site headcount to over 240 people.
This follows the recent news of an £8 million investment to improve energy efficiency at the site, as Britvic redoubles its efforts to cut carbon emissions and save energy.
Britvic has partnered with GEA to deliver the cutting-edge project, with the installation commencing this summer to make Beckton sustainable for the future.
Over the past few years, Britvic has also invested nearly £40 million in its Rugby factory – installing new canning lines – and £19 million to upgrade its national distribution centre.
The UK is the birthplace of Britvic plc and home to some of its most iconic brands.
Starting out in the 1930s as the British Vitamin Products Company, the Company set about using soft drinks to bring an affordable source of vitamins to the people of Britain. This work continues today. The company say their purpose is to “make life’s everyday moments more enjoyable and part of doing that is by helping consumers make healthier choices with drinks that taste great and are better for you.”
With firm favourites like Fruit Shoot, J2O Spritz, Purdey’s, Robinsons and Tango, and exclusive agreements to make, distribute and market global brands on behalf of PepsiCo, including 7UP, Lipton Ice Tea, Pepsi MAX, and Rockstar Energy, Britvic is dedicated to creating and building brands that people can trust.
Within the UK the company operate three factories in Rugby, Leeds and Beckton where they produce their portfolio of soft drinks. Their national distribution centre is based in Lutterworth, Leicestershire. Their head office is at Breakspear Park, Hemel Hempstead, and they operate from additional offices in Solihull and Tamworth.
