The new high-speed canning line is capable of producing 2,000 cans per minute, elevating the site’s production capabilities and supporting the production of sustainable packaging for a number of CCEP’s brands.
Set to open in June 2022, the new canning line will also open up 19 new job roles in the local area.
Rory Kerr, operations director at CCEP Sidcup, said: “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.”
60th anniversary
The investment also coincided with the 60 anniversary of the Sidcup site, which operates 10 production lines and is the only Coca-Cola site in GB to produce 150ml and 250ml cans. CCEP has invested £118m in the site since 2017.
Kerr added: “Our 60th 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.”
CCEP’s latest investment will build on the drinks manufacturer’s commitment to become carbon neutral by 2040 – the site has already seen a 26% reduction in its carbon footprint since 2010, attributed to a number of energy saving measures.
These included the installation of the site’s Automated Storage Retrieval System (ASRS) – which officially opened today (September 14) – 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.
Ongoing commitment
CCEP GB vice-president and general manager Stephen Moorhouse said: “We’ve been part of the community in Sidcup for 60 years, and this £28m 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.”
Meanwhile, PepsiCo has announced plans to open a 1bn Polish zloty (£187m) production facility in Poland, said to be its most sustainable food manufacturing plant in Europe.