Cider maker presses on with £6m factory boost
ABIRMINGHAM drinks manufacturer has invested £6 million in its factory in the north of the city.
Aston Manor Cider has reconfigured its production site and installed a new packaging line at its base, adding to more than £30 million of investment carried out over the past five years.
Its latest investment in plant has included developing its R&D capability to create new products which required the packaging line in order to bring these and other drinks to market.
It means its products can now be packaged in bag-in-box formats, mini-kegs and different sizes and shapes of cans.
The company, which was taken over by French agricultural co-operative Agrial in 2018, said it was planning a further commitment of more than £50 million over the duration of long-term contracts agreed with farmers to supply apples from new orchards planted in Herefordshire. Chief executive Gordon Johncox said: “We have a track record of being responsive to consumer trends and having the flexibility and agility to deliver great products in different styles and formats.
“We consistently invest significant sums and support our people to build our capacity and capability.
“It is vital to our approach and our ambition to offer new products and develop new markets.”
Aston Manor Cider was founded in 1983 by former Aston Villa chairman Doug Ellis and its brands include Crumpton Oaks, Frosty Jack’s and Kingstone Press.