The investment is for two new production lines at East Kilbride dedicated to making Capri-Sun, one of the largest kids’ juice drinks brands in GB, worth £68m.
The new lines are state-of-the-art robotic multi-pack fillers made bespoke for the site and use the latest energy-saving technology to reduce energy use and water consumption. This includes automatic control of conveyors, energy sub-metering to aid monitoring and water efficient pouch-cooling technology. In addition, the lines are equipped to package Capri-Sun multi-packs using a newly developed lightweight corrugated cardboard that enables the use of thinner card with equal strength to the previous card used.
In addition to the 170-strong workforce at the site, the new lines will create 18 roles and additional training to upskill the workforce. The company is also continuing to invest in its Scottish Apprenticeship programme each year and currently has four apprentices with a further two starting in August 2019. It will also continue to work with Skills Development Scotland (SDS), piloting four foundation apprenticeships in association with Glasgow Kelvin College.
CCEP’s East Kilbride site has reached a total of £42 million of investment in its operations since 2010. In addition to the new £21m Capri-Sun lines this year, other investments have included a £2.3 million water treatment plant – saving 9 million litres per year. The site was also the first of its kind to house an Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) holding up to 14,000 pallets. This system is now operational at three other sites across CCEP’s network in GB.
John McCafferty, operations director at Coca-Cola European Partners East Kilbride, said: “As a truly local business, we are proud to manufacture some of the nation’s favourite drinks – right here from our factory in East Kilbride. This recent investment demonstrates Coca-Cola European Partners’ long-term commitment to the East Kilbride area and to manufacturing in Scotland as a whole.
“Investing in our people is of the upmost importance to us – helping to continually improve the quality, efficiency and sustainability of our operations, as well as ensuring we can continue to support the growth of a team of highly skilled and dedicated people. We’ve enjoyed working with the local East Kilbride community for 55 years now. Investments such as this really help to elevate our business capabilities and support the manufacturing and distribution network in Scotland more broadly.”
Leendert den Hollander, vice-president and general manager, Coca-Cola European Partners GB, said: “At Coca-Cola European Partners, we are passionate about making positive contributions to the communities in which we operate. East Kilbride is a great example of the legacy that our local sites can provide our communities while remaining focused on delivering manufacturing excellence throughout our operations in Great Britain.”
First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, said: “I welcome Coca-Cola European Partners (CCEP) commitment to supporting manufacturing in Scotland by investing £23 million in its East Kilbride operations. This crucial investment demonstrates CCEP’s ongoing commitment to manufacturing excellence and innovation in Scotland, creating 18 new jobs whilst upskilling the existing workforce.
“With the East Kilbride site celebrating 55 years, this is further evidence of the importance of our manufacturing industry to Scotland’s future success.”
The investment programme underlines CCEP’s commitment to manufacturing excellence in Great Britain, with a range of innovations in machinery and sustainable production and supports CCEP’s sustainability action plan, This is Forward.
