Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP), the largest independent Coca-Cola bottler globally, has announced plans to invest £42.3 million in constructing an Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) warehouse at its Wakefield facility.

The ASRS, which will take approximately two and a half years to complete, is designed to maximise space with a height of 38 meters. This addition will expand the warehouse’s capacity, enabling it to accommodate and manage 29,500 more pallets, nearly doubling the current capacity of 29,000 pallets. The new system is also expected to reduce annual road journeys by 18,500, saving 441,000 kilometres of travel per year.

This initiative follows a £31 million investment earlier this year in a cutting-edge canning line at the site. Operational since July, the line can produce 2,000 lightweight 330ml cans per minute, supporting brands like Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Fanta, Dr Pepper, and Sprite.

In line with its “Everyone is Welcome” recruitment philosophy, CCEP is prioritising skills and potential over traditional qualifications and experience. This inclusive approach has attracted more women to manufacturing roles, particularly on the new canning line, where women comprise 40% of the workforce and hold three of four team leader positions.

Since 2019, the Wakefield site has received a total investment of £103 million, aimed at improving operational efficiency and sustainability. Initiatives include replacing 75 gas-powered forklift trucks with lithium-ion battery-powered units, eliminating carbon emissions during operation.

Vanessa Smith, director of Wakefield Supply Chain Operations at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, said: “The new ASRS warehouse ensures we continue expanding our production capabilities as we look to the future, and operate as efficiently and sustainably as possible.

“This follows on from the installation our state-of-the-art canning line, which became operational this summer. In addition to improving the sites capabilities of our lightweight cans, the new line and latest investments underscore our commitment to our Wakefield site and the 550 strong workforce who work here.”

Stephen Moorhouse, vice-president and general manager, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (GB), commented: “Wakefield offers a range of modern manufacturing jobs and sits at the heart of many of our latest manufacturing technologies. We’ve invested more than £100million since 2019 to help us evolve operations on site and further support the local economy.”

Simon Lightwood MP for Wakefield and Rothwell said: “CCEP continues to play an important role in and around Wakefield. It’s fantastic to see the business invest in delivering more efficient and sustainable operations, which shows the organisations commitment to being a major employer in West Yorkshire.”