Princes Group has entered into a significant agreement to produce over 250 million Capri-Sun juice pouches annually at its Bradford facility. This move is aligned with emerging food and beverage industry trends, particularly in food manufacturing.
In anticipation of increased demand, the initiative has resulted in the creation of 50 new jobs within the local community, showcasing the intersection of labor and consumer trends in the food and drink market.
Production commenced in August 2024, and the four new production lines are now fully operational. Notably, Princes is co-packing two formats of Capri-Sun: 200ml pouches featuring paper straws and 330ml pouches equipped with screw caps, aligning with current food processing technology.
Furthermore, as part of its sustainability strategy, Capri-Sun is shifting to lightweight monomaterial drink pouches and introducing tethered caps on the 330ml variants. This innovative packaging aims to reduce waste by 14%, reflecting the industry’s focus on food and drink sustainability.
The Bradford site stands as Princes Group’s largest soft drinks production location in the UK and serves as a recognized center of excellence. With 12 operational lines, it supports a diverse range of products including dilutes, carbonates, and ready-to-drink options, emphasizing food and drink industry innovation.
Capri-Sun production encompasses its classic lines and new introductions like Cola Zero—the first flavor produced globally at Bradford—as well as the Monster Alarm Zero (featuring apple, blackcurrant, and sour cherry juice, tailored for children).
“We are thrilled to make Bradford the UK home for Capri-Sun pouches, a testament to our commitment to product innovation and operational excellence,” commented Andy Hargraves, group commercial director for drinks at Princes.
“This partnership not only creates new jobs but also aligns with our sustainability goals, leveraging our expertise to meet evolving consumer demands”.
Stefan Seiss, vice president for group supply chain at Capri Sun added: “This collaboration represents a significant step in meeting growing demand in the UK market. The transition of production lines to Bradford reflects the successful cooperation between supply chain and engineering teams from both companies, ensuring a top-tier production setup to support Capri-Sun’s expansion in the UK.”
