This article first appeared in Convenience and Impulse Retailing, authored by Deborah Jackson
International beverage manufacturer Frucor Suntory is opening a new $400 million manufacturing facility in Ipswich Queensland.
The multi-beverage facility will include beverage processing, packaging, warehousing, and distribution, strengthening the company’s ability to service its customers and the growing Australian market.
The project is expected to create around 450 construction and installation jobs by 2023/2024. It will also create 160 long-term roles when it starts operating in mid-2024.
CEO Darren Fullerton said Frucor Suntory is proud to have operated across Oceania for more than 60 years.
“Building on our strong manufacturing capabilities in New Zealand, this investment in Queensland recognises the growth trajectory we believe is possible for our business,” Fullerton said.
“Pending approvals, we’re planning to start early work construction in the third quarter of this year and commence operations in mid-2024.
“Frucor Suntory is excited to be establishing this permanent facility in Ipswich and we thank the Queensland Government for partnering with us to make this possible.”
Taka Sanno, Suntory Beverage and Food APAC CEO highlighted the outstanding growth opportunities and world class talent across the Oceania region, saying that this facility plays a critical role in realising Suntory’s plans.
“In line with our Suntory ‘Growing for Good’ vision, we want the new facility to set a benchmark for our investment into sustainable technologies to drive efficiency and minimise our carbon footprint.”
The Frucor Suntory facility will be on a 17-hectare, greenfield site in the New-Gen Business Park (NGBP), located at Swanbank in Ipswich.
The project aligns with the Queensland Government’s Advanced Manufacturing 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan that identifies beverage manufacturing as a high-value, key industry sector for Queensland.
The new facility will be a boon for the Ipswich jobs market and is being developed with full support from the Palaszczuk Government.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said Frucor Suntory’s plans for a major beverage manufacturing facility in Ipswich was a big win for Queensland.
“It’s an incredible coup for our state that an international company of the calibre of Suntory, that has a global workforce of over 40,000, has chosen Queensland ahead of others to establish a permanent manufacturing facility here,” the Premier said.
“The value of attracting this investment to Queensland will have significant benefits for our economic recovery and most importantly, it will create new jobs for Queenslanders.”
Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick said Queensland secured Frucor Suntory’s new manufacturing plant ahead of offers from other states and countries.
“Our government is single-minded in our pursuit of new manufacturing opportunities, and the long-term highly-skilled jobs they bring,” the Treasurer said.
“Our skilled workforce, readily available industrial land with quality logistics access and the Queensland lifestyle make us a destination of choice for heavy manufacturing projects.
“This factory will have the immediate capability to produce up to 20 million cases of drinks each year, with the ability to be significantly scaled up in the future.
“Queensland Treasury’s Investment team has gone above and beyond to secure this deal and I am so grateful for the work they have done bringing this factory to Queensland.”
