Construction of the $400 million multi-beverage manufacturing facility in Swanbank is well underway and on track for its opening in mid-2024. Once operational, the facility will provide 160 long-term jobs.
Japanese global drinks manufacturer Suntory is currently building its new facility on a 17-hectare industrial site located southeast of Ipswich after getting the green light last September 2022.
The multi-beverage manufacturing facility is expected to produce up to 20 million cases of its well-known beverages annually and it has the capacity to be scaled up when needed. Frucor Suntory manufactures and distributes a wide range of energy drinks and sparkling and other non-alcoholic beverages across Oceania.
During its construction, the project will provide 450 construction and installation jobs. Once open and operational, the development is also expected to benefit the communities of Ipswich, Redbank Plains, Springfield and Ripley Valley with job opportunities.
“Japanese companies like Suntory recognise the benefits of investing in Queensland and Queenslanders,” Queensland minister for trade and investment Cameron Dick said when he made the announcement last year.
“This new investment in the Frucor Suntory facility shows the strength of the Queensland-Japan trade and investment relationship, now sixty years strong.”
Darren Fullerton, Frucor Suntory CEO, said that the company manufactures all its products for Australia over in New Zealand and currently has run out of capacity. The new multi-beverage facility in Ipswich will allow the manufacturer to fulfil its growing retail and consumer demand, enabling it to process, package, warehouse and distribute its beverage products for its Australian customers.
“Ipswich is the perfect place for high-skill, high tech manufacturing,” Member for Bundamba Lance McCallum said.
“Our community is ideally placed with the right workforce, logistics and transport links.”
“Ipswich City Council and the Ipswich community are delighted to welcome Frucor Suntory with its new manufacturing facility to be constructed in Swanbank,” Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said.
“This project will deliver hundreds of local jobs; about 450 during the initial construction phase and another 160 long-term roles when it starts operating from 2024.
“It shows there are significant benefits to global companies establishing their facilities in the city and being part of the local economy.”