COCA-COLA EUROPACIFIC PARTNERS INVESTS £28MILLION IN SIDCUP SITE

• Funding will support development of new state-of-the-art canning line which produces 2,000 cans per minute
• £28million investment coincides with site’s 60^th anniversary celebration and the official opening of the Automated Storage Retrieval System (ASRS) warehouse

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP), the world’s largest independent bottler of Coca-Cola, has announced a £28million investment at its manufacturing site in Sidcup, coinciding with the site’s 60^th anniversary.

The site, which operates 10 production lines and is the only Coca-Cola site in GB to produce 150ml and 250ml cans, has received an additional £28million investment this year, totalling £118million since 2017.

The latest round of investment has funded a state-of-the-art high-speed canning line, capable of producing 2,000 cans per minute, elevating the site’s production capabilities and supporting the production of sustainable packaging for CCEP’s well-known brands including Coca-Cola original taste, Diet Coke, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Fanta, Dr Pepper, Lilt, Sprite, Schweppes and Capri-Sun.

The site has already seen a 26% reduction in its carbon footprint since 2010, which can be attributed to a variety of energy saving measures, including the installation of the site’s Automated Storage Retrieval System (ASRS), which officially opens [today], and has significantly increased efficiencies across the supply chain, saving 3,687 tonnes of CO2 per year and 10,817 road miles by HGV trucks.

The new line, set to open in June 2022, will accelerate these carbon savings even further, with the investment helping the business on its mission to become net zero by 2040. The new line will also open up 19 new job roles in the local area.

Rory Kerr, Operations Director at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Sidcup, said: “Our 60^th anniversary demonstrates our long-term commitment to Sidcup. We’re proud to be a truly local business, thanks to the continued passion and dedication of our workforce to evolve our Sidcup site and the sustainability of our operations.

“The latest investment will help to boost our production capacity, using the latest manufacturing innovations to produce some of the most loved, well-known global brands from right here in Sidcup.”

Stephen Moorhouse, Vice-President and General Manager, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (GB), said: “Our people and the communities we operate in play a big part in the success of the Coca-Cola brand. We’ve been part of the community in Sidcup for 60 years, and this £28million investment underscores our ongoing commitment to the site and the local area.

“The investment is also an important milestone in our sustainability journey, helping us to achieve the ambitious goals set out in our This is Forward action plan, which targets six key social and environmental areas where we know we have a significant impact, both locally and globally.”

Minister for Investment, Gerry Grimstone said: “The UK is a leading global investment destination and there’s never been a better time to invest.

 “With an incredible 60 years in the UK, this investment from Coca Cola Europacific Partners into their Sidcup site highlights the attractiveness of the UK to investors and is also a great example of more sustainable production practices as we build back greener.

 “Our Global Investment Summit later this year will be an opportunity to seize more opportunities like this that will propel our economy towards a more prosperous, exciting future.”