It is not clear how many units of the product will be produced a month, but features of the bespoke robotic multi-pack fillers include automatic control of conveyors, energy sub-metering to help with monitoring, and water efficient pouch-cooling technology.
The lines have also been equipped to use a thinner lightweight corrugated cardboard for Capri-Sun multipacks, CCEP said.
An extra 18 new roles will now be created at the Scottish facility, which currently employs 170 people and was visited today (31 July) by First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon.
New water treatment plant
The drinks giant has also spent £2.3m on a new water treatment plant, which is expected to save nine million litres per year.
“As a truly local business, we are proud to manufacture some of the nation’s favourite drinks – right here from our factory in East Kilbride,” said John McCafferty, operations director at CCEP East Kilbride. “This recent investment demonstrates CCEP’s long-term commitment to the East Kilbride area and to manufacturing in Scotland as a whole.”
Sturgeon added: “With the East Kilbride site celebrating 55 years, this is further evidence of the importance of our manufacturing industry to Scotland’s future success.”
East Kilbride opened in 1964. Best known for being the only manufacturing site in the UK to produce Appletiser products in glass bottles, the factory produces 18.5 million cases of soft drink each year, using six factory lines.
In addition, the team of 170 employees across manufacturing and distribution help to produce brands such as Dr Pepper, Sprite and Fanta.
