Suntory Beverage & Food Great Britain & Ireland will invest £25 million in a new high-speed production line at its Coleford factory, consolidating Lucozade and Ribena manufacturing in a move aimed at boosting efficiency, flexibility and sustainability at one of Britain’s longest-running soft drinks sites.

The new line, known internally as 'Apollo 5,' will replace two older Ribena lines that separately handle concentrate and ready-to-drink formats.

Once operational in early 2027, it will be capable of producing up to 55,000 bottles per hour, with rapid changeovers between Lucozade and Ribena on a single line.

The investment forms part of a broader £57 million supply chain upgrade programme at the Coleford site, which this year marks 80 years since it was built.

For retailers and contract manufacturing partners, the main significance lies in consolidation and throughput.

By bringing multiple SKUs and formats onto one aseptic line, SBF GB&I reduces operational complexity and gains greater flexibility to switch between brands in response to demand shifts.

The company says the line will use aseptic bottle-cleaning technology based on heat and pressurised air, reducing energy and water use compared with traditional systems.

The upgrade comes as UK soft drinks manufacturers face continued cost pressure from energy, labour and packaging, alongside evolving demand for functional and low-sugar beverages.

Lucozade, which celebrates its centenary in 2027, remains a key player in the sports and energy drinks segment, while Ribena is a long-established brand in concentrates and ready-to-drink fruit beverages.

Coleford is one of the largest employers in the Forest of Dean area and a central production hub for the company’s UK portfolio.

Around £2.1 million will be spent with local suppliers during the construction phase.

The new line also follows a previously announced project to electrify the site and reduce reliance on a gas turbine, part of the group’s wider sustainability strategy. The company says the additional capability would support future packaging initiatives across its brands.

Elise Seibold, chief operating officer at SBF GB&I, said: “This next chapter is about investing in our factory to strengthen the future of two iconic British brands, Lucozade and Ribena. We’re dedicating £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".

Work on the Apollo 5 line begins this year, with first production runs scheduled for early 2027.