Nichols Invests £4.5 Million in Vimto Ross Factory
UK-based soft drink group Nichols has unveiled a £4.5 million investment at its site in Ross-on-Wye (Vimto Ross). The newly-designed factory forms a key part of Vimto Out Of Home, manufacturing frozen and post-mix solutions for their own customers as well as for their external partners.
Having acquired the site from Dayla in 2011, Vimto Ross specialises in packing juices and syrups in bag in box formats (BiB) from 2L to 1000L. A hugely growing channel, Out Of Home is key to the growth of Nichols plc, contributing to 28% of the total revenue. Vimto Out Of Home is proud to supply some of the leading retailers and leisure accounts within the UK, having a unique proposition of post-mix, packaged and frozen all from one company. This includes products manufactured and sold as Vimto Out Of Home and also the production for strategic partners such as Coca Cola Enterprise Partners products.
The £4.5 millon investment primarily focused on improved technology and extensive innovation, ensuring the Ross site is fit for the future. New state-of-the-art technology includes EOL automation, an industry leading labelling solution and sugar pump automation, with dry sugar silo ready for dissolver later this year. The latest development, Line 5, is in the planning stages, with the aim to bring production all under one roof. These investments reflect a long term commitment to the success of the site.
Vimto Ross has also invested in its people with a new management programme to upskill its managers, a new skills matrix to develop the team and further health and safety training. The automisation of many parts of the factory as a result of the investment has also led to a different training platform.
Andy Johnson, Supply Chain Director, comments “We have increased capacity for new business and growth as a result of the recent investment in our technology and people. Vimto Ross currently employs 42 people and wants to remain the employer of choice in the area, by providing a local feel with PLC benefits. Additionally the business maintains its pledge to employees that for every £1 raised for local charities it will match, encouraging our employees to give something back locally.”
All Vimto’s own products produced at Vimto Ross are 100% soft drinks levy compliant.
