Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I (SBF GB&I), the producer of Ribena and Lucozade, has announced a £14.5 million ($18.9 million) investment in a new blackcurrant processing facility. Developed in partnership with Bevisol, a Herefordshire-based subsidiary of Dohler Group, the facility in Ledbury is in operation in time for this years harvest to process fruit sourced from SBF GB&I’s network of 33 British farms. The plant introduces modern technologies, including advanced evaporators using vapour recompression, cleanable membrane filtration, automated handling systems and digital smart tag tracking to enhance efficiency across the supply chain. Karl Ottomar, Supply Chain Director at SBF GB&I, commented: “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 project forms part of a wider £57.5 million ($74.8 million) investment across the company UK supply chain, which also encompasses a planned £25 million ($32.5 million) manufacturing line in 2027.
Source: Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I
