UK drinks manufacturer invests in new canning line
UK-based soft drinks manufacturer, Clearly Drinks, has announced plans to invest in a new canning facility at its headquarters in the north-east of England, which is expected to be operational from March 2021. Clearly Drinks has been able to very quickly respond and adapt to business disruption and uncertainty caused by the recent global pandemic; which has enabled business continuity and strong performance throughout.
The substantial investment to install the facility at Clearly Drinks builds upon growth and progress over the last 18 months and enables the company to continue to innovate and grow, despite the current economic climate.
The new soft drinks canning facility will be supplied by BW Integrated Systems, an industry leader in the design and manufacture of integrated packaging lines and robotic solutions. BW Integrated Systems is a division of Barry-Wehmiller, a £2.5 billion Global packaging and engineering firm, with its UK headquarters located in Doncaster.
Capable of producing 500 cans per minute and 30,000 cans per hour, the new line is expected to manufacture 160 million cans per annum. Clearly Drinks will utilise its Northumbria Spring Water which is drawn directly from on-site boreholes at its headquarters in the North East.
Clearly Drinks has announced its premium adult soft drink, Upstream will be the first brand to be made using the new can line, with additional exciting new products set to be announced later this year.
The venture will expand its brand portfolio offering high flexibility for product and packaging whilst enabling the reach of a wider customer base opening up opportunities with well-known customers such as Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Booker and One Stop.
Mick Howard, Chief Executive Officer at Clearly Drinks, said: “Securing this investment with NorthEdge for our new can facility here at our Clearly Drinks factory in Sunderland allows us to diversify our offering and develop our product lines. We’ll start production with our popular consumer brand Upstream immediately and the machinery’s speed and efficiency will allow us to manufacturer other contract pack products and develop further opportunities with other brands which we’ll announce in due course.”
Established in 1885, Clearly Drinks offers a range of its own branded flavoured water including Perfectly Clear, Northumbria Spring and Revolution Waves alongside an industry-leading contract bottling service including well known customers such as Hartridges, Get More Drinks and Sainsburys private label. Clearly Drinks draw their spring water directly from on-site boreholes at its headquarters in the North East. The pure, local spring water acts as a basis for fresh and fruity flavour combinations and carbonations.
