The new $400 million manufacturing facility near Ipswich, Queensland, is on track for its mid-2024 opening. Currently, all of the Frucor Suntory beverages are manufactured in New Zealand, so the Swanbank site will help satisfy the increasing demand for products in Australia.
The facility is expected to produce up to 20 million cases of drinks yearly, with the capacity to scale up as needed. It will provide 450 construction and installation jobs, alongside 160 long-term jobs, once operations officially commence.
“Here at the site, we are building our future basically. We have run out of capacity, and we have got huge growth plans. We currently manufacture all of our products for Australia over in New Zealand, and now we are investing here in Queensland to be able to satisfy what is increasing demand for our products by our customers and also our consumers,” said Darren Fullerton, Frucor Suntory CEO.
The 17-hectare site is possible thanks to partnerships with the Queensland Government and the Ipswich Council. The location provides an excellent logistics centre and a skilled workforce.
“Japanese companies like Suntory recognise the clear benefits of investing in Queensland. This project is an incredible coup for Queensland and the already flourishing communities of Ipswich, Redbank Plains, Springfield and Ripley Valley, which will benefit from the investment and job opportunities created. The Queensland Government is pleased to be supporting this project and others like it through our Invested in Queensland program that is attracting significant, job-creating investment projects across the state,” said Cameron Dick, Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment.
