Coca-Cola HBC Invests £9.3 Million in Expanding Plant in Northern Ireland
Coca-Cola HBC has commissioned a new ‘canning line’ at its Lisburn plant in Northern Ireland. The canning line is the second of its kind to be installed at the plant and will support increased demand for can production, with the capacity to produce 4.8 million cans per week. It enables the plant to expand production capabilities and increase the number of products and pack sizes available. It will reduce the company’s reliance on external sourcing from other Coca-Cola HBC facilities across Europe, most notably bringing the production many of the Monster Energy products in-house.
The new line represents a key milestone in Coca-Cola HBC’s growth and investment in Northern Ireland, where it has operated for more than 80 years. Coca-Cola HBC currently directly employs 470 people in Northern Ireland and contributes to a further 370 jobs indirectly. It is a significant contributor to the region’s economy, delivering £36 million in wages along its value chain and £70 million in Gross Value Added.
The new line will also support Coca‑Cola’s transition to new taller ‘Sleek Cans’, launching this month. The move to Sleek Can marks the most significant change in Coca-Cola’s can offering for more than 70 years and is a first for the soft drink industry in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
The investment also supports Coca-Cola’s journey towards a World Without Waste, by enabling the introduction of more sustainable secondary packaging for multipack cans. Innovative paperboard and cardboard packaging solutions for multi-pack cans will be introduced this year, eliminating 620 tonnes of shrink plastic from circulation annually.
Coca-Cola HBC’s General Manager Miles Karemacher, who was appointed in October 2019, says: “I’m very proud to join Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland at an exciting point in the company’s growth. Northern Ireland is a great place to do business. This investment marks our continued commitment to the region, where we have operated as a proud local employer for more than 80 years. This new canning line will serve to future-proof our growth needs for decades to come while supporting our sustainability ambitions.”
It is ten years since the official opening of Knockmore Hill plant in Lisburn. The launch of this second canning line is the most significant upgrade of the plant since the initial £93 million investment.
CAPTION:
Pictured (left to right): Miles Karamacher, General Manager of Coca‑Cola HBC Ireland & Northern Ireland; Michelle O’Neill, The deputy First Minister; Marcel Martin, Group Supply Chain Director and former General Manager of Coca‑Cola HBC Ireland & Northern Ireland; and Arlene Foster, The First Minister.
