Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) has invested $39.7 million in its Kewdale manufacturing facility in Western Australia, installing a new can production line designed to increase capacity by more than 40 per cent.
The upgrade will increase production speeds from approximately 1,060 cans per minute to 1,500 cans per minute, with the new line capable of producing up to 16 million cases, equivalent to about 384 million cans. CCEP said the line would operate around the clock during peak summer periods to meet demand across the state.
The company noted the investment would improve automation, production flexibility and water and energy efficiency at the site, which has operated for more than 50 years.
“This upgrade is one of the largest investments in Kewdale’s recent history and reflects our long term belief in manufacturing in Western Australia,” said Tom Schiebling, CCEP’s director of manufacturing.
“Beyond increasing production capacity, this investment strengthens local manufacturing, supports skilled jobs and positions Kewdale as a world-class facility for the future,” he said.
The Kewdale facility employs 300 people, including 125 manufacturing team members, and is CCEP’s fourth-largest manufacturing site nationally.
Alongside the equipment upgrade, CCEP has introduced a pilot offering flexible part-time frontline manufacturing roles to attract workers with family, caring and other commitments. The company said the first intake received more than 900 applications and had already resulted in new hires.
“The future of manufacturing depends on both world-class equipment and a skilled, diverse workforce to operate it,” Schiebling said.
CCEP said the investment forms part of its broader commitment to manufacturing and sustainable growth in Western Australia.
