Independent drinks firm, Kingsland Drinks, has revealed that it is boosting its bag-in-box wine capabilities in 2021 with a six-figure investment in additional production line machinery.
The investment will increase the company’s capacity for packing bag-in-box wines by 50%, totalling more than 28 million litres per year. Kingsland Drinks currently packs bag-in-box wines for several leading UK retailers and contract packs for a number of top brands.
The new line, at Kingsland Drinks’ site in Irlam, Salford, builds on the company’s existing bag-in-box infrastructure, which supplies 1.5L, 2.25L and 3L formats to some of the UK’s biggest retailers. It will be installed in two parts; a new filler will be fitted in April 2021, followed by the installation of a pick and place and end of line palletisation system. The line is expected to be fully operational by May 2021.
The UK is one of the fastest-growing markets for bag-in-box wines, up over 25% in value and 21% in volume terms since the start of the pandemic, with its longer life once opened and value for money selling points attracting consumers to the sector.
Ed Baker, managing director at Kingsland Drinks, said: “We’re proud of our ability to offer a full category service and have carefully expanded and upgraded operations in recent years to enhance our offering. Many of our suppliers are keen to venture into new wine formats and bag-in-box is certainly one that is being embraced by consumers, due to changes in lifestyle and the fact that at-home drinking occasions are set to be a dominant feature of socialising.
“The pandemic has shone a well-deserved light on this format and it can only gain momentum as the industry educates consumers on its benefits. Bag-in-box wine is here to stay, and our investment means we approach the years ahead with experience and world-class capabilities.”
