Suntory Oceania will capitalise on the continuing popularity of ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages when its $400 million factory opens in mid-2024, with the V Energy range earmarked as the first brands to be produced.
The company made the announcement as it was celebrating the first year of construction of its $400 million manufacturing and distribution facility being built in Ipswich, Queensland.
Its the largest local FMCG investment in Australia in a decade and will create 160 jobs.
Beam Suntory and Frucor Suntory announced Suntory Oceania in August, creating a $3 billion beverage group. Together, 18 RTDs wll be produced at the plant.
Circana’s Market Edge Liquor Outlook in September said, in Australia, RTD is the fastest growing liquor category at 4.8 per cent and account for almost 20 per cent of all liquor sales.
Beam Suntory Oceania MD Mark Hill said Beam Suntory had been the largest contributor to value growth in the RTD market since launching Suntory -196 in 2021. The range will also be produced at Ipswich when alcohol production begins in mid-2025.
“Working alongside our production sites in New Zealand, North America, Europe and Japan, full ownership of our supply chain allows us to respond with greater agility to market needs and expand our capability and capacity. Preparation starts now to ensure the partnership is operational to go to market with our combined portfolio from mid-2025 in Australia and 2026 in New Zealand,” Hill said.
Frucor Suntory Oceania CEO, Darren Fullerton, said, “Suntory Oceania is well placed to ride the next wave of growth in our existing core markets of alcohol, non-alcohol RTDs and energy drinks. The partnership will unlock further potential and agility in the supply chain – and more strategic portfolio innovation into emerging beverage categories.
