Carlsberg Britvic is making a significant investment of £20 million in a new soft drinks canning line and a building extension at its Rugby factory on the Glebe Farm Industrial Estate.
Over the past five years, this facility, known for producing well-known UK soft drinks such as Tango and Pepsi, has benefitted from over £60 million in investments. This latest funding will create more than 30 new jobs, further enriching the local workforce.
With the addition of the new canning line, production capacity at the Rugby factory will increase, bringing the total number of canning lines to 10. This enhancement will allow Carlsberg Britvic to ramp up production from 560,000 to an impressive 610,000 canned soft drinks per hour.
Additionally, this investment will generate 34 new roles in engineering and manufacturing. Recruitment efforts are already in progress, which will elevate the total employee count at the site to over 430 individuals.
“This investment underscores our commitment to continuous improvement and innovation in our supply chain. By expanding our production capacity, we can meet the growing demand for our popular brands, create more jobs, and enhance our operational efficiency,” stated Nigel Paine, VP of Production at Carlsberg Britvic.
The Rugby factory benefits from its strategic proximity to the packaging supplier Ardagh Group, allowing cans to arrive seamlessly via an underground passage. This efficient supply chain setup highlights Carlsberg Britvic’s dedication to reducing carbon emissions, a goal further supported by a government grant for sustainability initiatives.
This announcement follows prior investments in the Rugby facility, including a £1.15 million sustainability enhancement earlier this year, a £13 million canning line investment in 2023, and a £27 million canning line established in 2021. Collectively, these investments form part of Carlsberg Britvic’s larger strategy aimed at enhancing its supply chain and production capabilities.
Recently, Carlsberg Britvic also committed £4 million to developing a new logistics hub strategically located at Junction 12 of the M6, north of Wolverhampton.
Minister for Investment Jason Stockwood remarked: “This latest investment is a strong vote of confidence in our world-class food and drink industry – the largest manufacturing sector here in the UK. Not only will their expansion boost production, but it will strengthen the supply chain and help drive economic growth.”
“The new canning line will create more than 30 jobs in Rugby, supporting the local community and putting more money in people’s pockets – a clear example of our Plan for Change in action.”
The Group was established in January 2025 following Carlsberg’s acquisition of Britvic, which made it the largest multi-beverage supplier in the UK and Carlsberg Group’s largest market by revenue.
Its extensive portfolio consists of Carlsberg Danish Pilsner, 1664, Birrificio Angelo Poretti, Brooklyn Brewery beers, Hobgoblin, Fruit Shoot, Tango, and Jimmy’s Iced Coffee. Additionally, under exclusive PepsiCo agreements, the company is licensed to produce, market, and sell Pepsi MAX, 7UP, Lipton Ice Tea, and Rockstar Energy.
