South African drinks manufacturer Kingsley Beverage will invest £36 million in a new manufacturing plant in the UK – its first location outside Africa and the Middle East.
The 150,000 square feet facility in Cambridgeshire will feature manufacturing, warehouse and office space, with construction set to begin this month. The company already operates seven factories in Africa and the Middle East – from Dubai to Johannesburg – where it produces and distributes a range of carbonated soft drinks, fruit juices, energy drinks and bottled water.
The firm is currently establishing its UK and European operations from a temporary premises not far from its planned manufacturing site, as it senses similar opportunities for growth as its South African and Middle Eastern operations.
Kingsley Beverage managing director elect Philip Nieman said: “Kingsley has seen exponential volume growth since its inception in 2007. This growth has accelerated in its home market of South Africa, together with exports into Africa and expansion into the Middle East over the last four years.
“Kingsley is confident that a similar growth opportunity exists in the UK, hence the decision to invest in a modern, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility.”
And Graham Pardoe, senior development director for Roxhill, which will develop the site, added: “Roxhill is delighted to have agreed terms with Kingsley Group, an exciting and fast-growing company, and to build this new manufacturing facility in Peterborough, which will act as its entry into the UK drinks market.”
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