Schweppes to ramp up production of ready to drink juices

Beverage manufacturer Schweppes Zimbabwe plans to improve capacity utilisation of its hot-fill production plant as demand for its ready to drink juices continues to grow.

In 2012, the company invested up to $16 million in the plant to enable local production of the Minute Maid line of juices.

“This portfolio of immediate consumption juice beverages has grown significantly since launch in 2012. Our plan is to fully utilize the hot-fill production capacity by growing our juice portfolio in-keeping with consumers’ beverage needs,” managing director Charles Msipa said.

“This year we have some exciting new product and pack innovations at varying stages of implementation,” he said without giving details.

Msipa also said the company expects to grow its export sales.

“We intend to grow our exports business significantly by focusing on value-chain optimization to make our products more competitive in the region. There are numerous projects which involve our partners and suppliers that are currently underway,” he said.

The company has spent $30 million in capital expenditure in the last five years and plans to invest $6 million in 2015.

Schweppes is owed 49 percent by beverage giant, Delta Beverages and 51 percent by employees through a special vehicle, Whaterton Investments.-The Source

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