Coca-Cola Consolidated invests $35m in Indianapolis glass bottling line

5 days ago
2 min read

Coca-Cola Consolidated is expanding its manufacturing footprint in Indiana with a $35 million investment in its Indianapolis production facility, reinforcing the company’s long-term commitment to glass bottle production within the US Coca-Cola system.

The investment will fund the addition of a new glass bottling line at the company’s facility at 5000 West 25th Street in Indianapolis.

Construction is expected to begin in late 2026, with the project anticipated to create between 15 and 20 new full-time jobs while also generating wider economic activity through construction, supplier partnerships and local service providers.

The expansion will position Indianapolis as a strategic production hub for the Coca-Cola system in the United States. According to the company, the site will become one of only three Coca-Cola system facilities nationwide capable of bottling beverages in glass formats.

Dave Katz, president and chief operating officer at Coca-Cola Consolidated, said: “This expansion is another example of how we strategically invest in our business to build a solid operational foundation and create opportunities for our teammates in the communities where they live and work."

Katz continued: “We are excited about the impact this investment will have in the local community and look forward to continuing our long-standing relationships with dedicated community partners.”

The Indianapolis facility has operated since 1968 and currently houses four production lines, including two PET and rPET bottle lines alongside two can lines. The site also includes a production warehouse and supports the company’s sustainability initiatives, particularly through its use of recyclable packaging systems.

The move comes amid renewed industry interest in glass packaging, driven by premiumisation trends, sustainability considerations and growing consumer demand for alternative beverage packaging formats. Glass has gained traction across both carbonated soft drinks and alcoholic beverages as brands seek to enhance product differentiation and respond to consumer perceptions around quality and recyclability.

For Coca-Cola Consolidated, the investment also reflects the continued importance of regional manufacturing flexibility as beverage companies adapt to shifting packaging demand and evolving retail dynamics.

The company currently employs more than 1,200 people across Indiana through nine facilities serving over 17,500 businesses statewide.

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Leah Smith

8 May 2026

New products

Ella’s Kitchen launches new children's snack range

Ella’s Kitchen is expanding beyond the baby food aisle with the launch of Ella’s Kitchen Kids, a new product line aimed at children aged 18 months and older.

The launch marks a significant strategic move for the brand as it looks to extend its presence beyond the weaning category and capture growing demand for healthier snack options for toddlers and young children.

Positioned as a “better-for-you” alternative to traditional children’s snacks, the new range combines bold flavours, playful branding and convenient formats with the nutritional standards parents associate with the Ella’s Kitchen brand.

The company said the range was developed in response to changing family eating habits and the lack of minimally processed snack options for older toddlers outside the baby aisle.

Initial products include Ella’s Kitchen Kids Crunchy Stix in Cheese + Onion, Tomato + Basil and Pesto varieties, alongside Ella’s Kitchen Kids Wild Crackers available in Tomato + Oregano, Pea + Basil and Carrot + Rosemary flavours.

Designed for lunchboxes, picnics and snacking occasions, the products are formulated with reduced salt levels and classified as non-HFSS options. According to the company, the Crunchy Stix contain less than 0.04g of salt per pack, while the Crackers contain less than 0.05g per serving.

Emma Wood, Senior Brand Manager at Ella’s Kitchen, said: “Ella’s Kitchen Kids is about recognising that the journey doesn’t stop at baby food. As little ones grow, their tastes, independence and routines all change – but parents still want options they can feel good about.”

The launch also signals Ella’s Kitchen’s wider ambitions within the children’s snacking market, with additional products and categories expected later this year.

Wood added that the company aims to help “raise the standards of the kids’ food category” by balancing taste, convenience and nutrition.