Britvic : Ireland announces €6 million investment in Ballygowan facility to increase production by over 20%

• Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Simon Coveney TD, welcomed the investment announcement and 28 new jobs in Newcastle West, Co.Limerick
• The investment will provide additional bottling capacity for the equivalent of 50 million fully recycled and recyclable bottles

Britvic Ireland has announced an investment of €6 million in its Ballygowan facility in Newcastle West, Co. Limerick, to grow the site's production capacity by over 20% in order to meet growing consumer demand for Ballygowan mineral water, and the creation of 28 new jobs.

In addition to the new manufacturing roles, the investment will provide additional bottling capacity for the equivalent of 50 million fully recycled and recyclable 500ml bottles of Ballygowan, enhance production capability, and underpin the strong sustainability credentials of the site.

Welcoming the announcement, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Simon Coveney TD, said:

"I'd like to congratulate Britvic Ireland on their announcement of a €6 million investment at their facility in Newcastle West, Co.Limerick which will support the growth, expansion, and sustainability credentials of one of Ireland's best-known water brands, Ballygowan. I warmly welcome the creation of 28 new manufacturing roles at the facility, and the strategic investment in the sustainable, long-term production of Ballygowan mineral water."

Speaking about the investment, Kevin Donnelly, Managing Director at Britvic Ireland, said:

"We are delighted to welcome Minister Simon Coveney to Newcastle West, the home and source of Ballygowan, to mark the announcement of a €6 million investment which will grow our production capacity by over 20% and create 28 new jobs. This investment will create new manufacturing roles for the local area, provide additional bottling capacity for the equivalent of 50 million 500ml bottles of Ballygowan made from fully recycled and recyclable plastic, enhance production capability, and underpin the strong sustainability credentials of our site. We are incredibly proud of this latest milestone in Ballygowan's journey as Ireland's most loved and leading bottled water brand, and the benefits this investment will return for Britvic Ireland and the wider community in Newcastle West."

Ballygowan is Ireland's number one bottled water brand, and consumer demand has grown steadily in recent years with sales of Ballygowan products undergoing strong double digit volume growth compared to pre-Covid levels. Newcastle West is the home and source of Ballygowan mineral water, which has been produced and bottled at source since 1984. Britvic Ireland have been a local employer in Newcastle West since 2007, and the facility currently employs 55 people in addition to the newly announced roles.

Ballygowan bottles are made from 100% recycled and recyclable plastic (rPET), following a €2 million investment in the Newcastle West facility in 2021. When recycled correctly, rPET bottles can be reused continuously, becoming a key contributor to the circular economy and removing virgin plastic from the supply chain.

Britvic Ireland is a leading soft drinks company, and their portfolio includes iconic brands such as Ballygowan, MiWadi, Pepsi, Club and TK.

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