Britvic Ireland has announced that it has invested €6 million in its Ballygowan facility, in Newcastle West, Co. Limerick.
According to the soft-drink company, the plan is to grow the site’s production capacity by over 20%, in order to meet growing consumer demand for Ballygowan mineral water, and to create 28 new jobs.
In addition to the new manufacturing roles, the investment will provide additional bottling capacity for the equivalent of 50 million fully recycled and recyclable 500ml bottles of Ballygowan, enhance production capability, and underpin the strong sustainability credentials of the site, the company noted.
Welcoming the announcement, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Simon Coveney TD, said, “I’d like to congratulate Britvic Ireland on their announcement of a €6 million investment at their facility in Newcastle West, Co. Limerick, which will support the growth, expansion, and sustainability credentials of one of Ireland’s best-known water brands, Ballygowan.”
New Roles
Speaking about the investment, Kevin Donnelly, managing director at Britvic Ireland, said, “This investment will create new manufacturing roles for the local area, provide additional bottling capacity for the equivalent of 50 million 500ml bottles of Ballygowan, made from fully recycled and recyclable plastic, enhance production capability, and underpin the strong sustainability credentials of our site.
“We are incredibly proud of this latest milestone in Ballygowan’s journey as Ireland’s most-loved and leading bottled-water brand, and the benefits this investment will return for Britvic Ireland and the wider community in Newcastle West.”
Ballygowan is Ireland’s number-one bottled-water brand, and consumer demand has grown steadily in recent years, with sales of Ballygowan products undergoing strong double-digit volume growth, compared to pre-Covid levels.
Newcastle West is the home and source of Ballygowan mineral water, which has been produced and bottled there since 1984.
Britvic Ireland has been a local employer in Newcastle West since 2007, and the facility currently employs 55 people, in addition to the newly announced roles.
