ONE of the Forest’s biggest employers is set for a £13m investment from its Japanese owners.

The Lucozade Ribena Suntory (LRS) plant will benefit from a new high-speed bottle filler at its Coleford factory, which will boost productivity to 1.3 million bottles per day.

Owners Suntory Beverage and Food are spending £10m on on new production and processing equipment with a further £3m for local contractors to build and install supporting infrastructure for the new line.

A company spokesman said the new line will be staffed by factory employees LRS has trained through its use of the apprenticeship levy.

One of the leading soft drinks businesses in the UK and Ireland, the company has used the levy fund to bolster its development programme, which recruits and trains apprentices to strengthen the engineering skillset at Coleford.

The investments underpin LRS’ continued commitment to the future of UK manufacturing, its Coleford factory and the Gloucestershire region, added the spokesman.

Using the latest technology, the new filler will also support the company’s global sustainability strategy by reducing the amount of water and energy used during the manufacturing process by 40 per cent.

The installation of the new filler is set to commence this spring, and is expected to be fully operational by the end of the year.

Chris Kane, LRS supply chain operations director, said: “We see our Coleford factory as the heartbeat of our UK operations and we are proud that it is one of the most efficient factories across the globe.

“Our parent company, Suntory Beverage & Food recognises this status and their £13m investment is a vote of confidence in our UK and Gloucestershire operations, ensuring Coleford continues to be a best-in class site for years to come.“

With the Brexit vote in Parliament yesterday, International Trade Secretary Rt Hon Dr Liam Fox welcomed the investment, saying: “Japan is an important trading partner and we are committed to creating an even stronger trading relationship as we leave the European Union, which will help to increase investment and support jobs throughout the UK.

“This £13m investment by Lucozade Ribena Suntory in its Gloucestershire factory is great news for local businesses, customers and the economy and will help support more than 330 jobs in the local area.”

Forest Conservative MP Mark Harper added: “I am delighted that Lucozade Ribena Suntory has made such a large vote of confidence in the Forest of Dean and the fantastic people who live and work here.

“For Lucozade Ribena Suntory’s Coleford team to be considered truly world class is testament to the hard work and professionalism of everybody at the site.