FDBusiness.com

Container glass manufacturer Quinn Glass has relaunched its specialist bottling division under the new branding ‘Cobevco’.

Cobevco will bottle beverages that are bulk imported into the UK and thosewhich are produced domestically on behalf of producers, importers and merchants from all over the world.

According to the UK-based company, the relaunch is part of its £500m investment in its two manufacturing plants in Northern Ireland and Cheshire.

The Cheshire plant provides a supply chain solution including glass manufacture, bottling, bonded storage and onward distribution to the UK and Europe, besides being home to Cobevco’s bottling operation.

Cobevco managing director Adrian Curry said that with the beverage market becoming increasingly globalised, products need to travel larger distances to get to market, which can escalate costs.

“Overheads within the supply chain are also escalating because of rising fuel prices and duty fees. As a result, a growing number of producers are utilising bulk importing and bottling at destination as a more efficient and environmentally sound route to market,” Curry said.

With a combination of facilities and expertise to cater to both importers and home producers, Cobevco is expected to meet the increased industry demand.

Cobevco’s 21,600m² bottling facility, which has five Krones bottling lines, a GEA processing plant and a laboratory, can fill and pack more than five million litres of wine, beer, cider, spirits and soft drinks per week.

“By launching Cobevco, we have been able to bring our already significant bottling expertise together under one brand and make provisions for the increased demands of the drinks sector,” Curry added.

Cobevco has announced plans for a further £3.5m investment in its Cheshire plant for early 2013, in a bid to enhance its capacity.