Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I (SBF GB&I), known for its well-loved beverages Ribena and Lucozade, has unveiled a significant £14.5 million investment aimed at establishing a cutting-edge blackcurrant processing facility in Ledbury, Herefordshire.
This advanced site, developed in collaboration with Döhler Group’s Bevisol Ltd., is set to commence operations just in time for this year’s berry harvest. The initiative is intended to streamline critical processing phases by situating them closer to both British blackcurrant growers and the primary manufacturing sites of the beverage producer.
The strategic advantage of the new facility is its location. Blackcurrants are harvested within a narrow six-week timeframe each summer before they are pressed and concentrated for Ribena. By situating the fruit preparation center in Ledbury, SBF GB&I places a key production step nearer to the UK’s main blackcurrant cultivation areas and its own final manufacturing plant.
This localized operation ensures a dedicated, modern framework for handling a time-sensitive crop. SBF GB&I’s collaborations span 33 farms across five UK growing regions, producing around 10,500 tonnes of fruit each year. By creating this processing hub closer to agricultural centers, the company enhances its handling efficiency and fortifies supply chain resilience. Additionally, the project is set to boost regional employment by generating 12 permanent roles and 30 seasonal positions.
Karl Ottomar, the supply chain director at SBF GB&I, emphasized the significance of this development: “This is a huge milestone for SBF GB&I, Ribena, and the future of British blackcurrant production. By investing in innovative processing here in the UK, we are supporting our supply chain while continuing to work closely with the farmers who have been at the heart of Ribena for generations.”
The £14.5 million investment also incorporates state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies designed to enhance operational performance, consistency, and inventory traceability for the beverage producer:
– Advanced evaporators utilizing vapour recompression technology to facilitate high-capacity processing.
– Cleanable membrane filtration systems that replace traditional filtration methods, improving daily efficiency.
– Automated material handling solutions, including weighing, tipping, and handling mechanisms that enhance operational uniformity.
– Digital smart tag tracking implemented on fruit bins to improve inventory visibility across the supply chain.
Farming Minister Stephen Morgan praised the positive impact of this upgrade: “This investment is a vote of confidence in British farming and the generations of blackcurrant growers whose fruit has helped make Ribena a household name. By investing in greener technology and modern processing, projects such as this strengthen UK supply chains, support rural jobs, and help ensure British blackcurrant production continues to thrive for years to come.”
Ribena has relied on British blackcurrants for nearly 90 years since its inception in 1938. This facility aligns with ongoing local investments, which include a multi-million pound blackcurrant breeding initiative in partnership with the James Hutton Institute and a regenerative agriculture pilot program in Norfolk.
The Herefordshire endeavor is part of a broader £57.5 million investment initiative across SBF GB&I’s UK supply chain. This encompasses recent efforts to enhance manufacturing capabilities at its Coleford factory while also reducing emissions through upgraded electricity connections, in addition to plans for a new £25 million production line scheduled for 2027.
Gero Spika, global account director at Döhler, remarked that the facility signifies a mutual commitment to local capabilities: “Our partnership with SBF GB&I brings together processing expertise, innovation, and targeted investment in a future-ready facility for UK fruit preparation. This project strengthens our global partnership with Suntory while reflecting our shared commitment to enhancing local production capabilities, supporting jobs in the region, and contributing to the long-term future of British blackcurrant farming.”