Suntory Oceania has started work on its new $400m multi-beverage, manufacturing and distribution centre in Ipswich, Queensland, which will include a 14km stretch of solar panels and will help to unlock the power of the $3bn Suntory Oceania partnership in Australia.
The Suntory Oceania partnership was formed recently as Suntory Global Spirits and Suntory Beverage & Food came together to deliver a multi-beverage partnership across Australia.
The facility’s 7,000 solar panels equate to nine soccer fields and will power the production of over 20 million cases of beverages a year, once the site is operational. Suntory Oceania has carbon neutral ambitions for the site, and these were subject of the Australia Food & Grocery Council’s 2024 Sustaining Australia TV series.
The episode provides an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the world-class manufacturing and distribution facility and showcases its sustainable approach to manufacturing.
Speaking about Suntory Oceania’s investment into its Australian facility, Managing Director Oceania, Suntory Global Spirits, said: “The investment really shows the confidence that Suntory has in the Australian market and its ability to continue to grow and evolve.”
The Suntory Oceania team has already made some key appointments with people who are well-respected across the industry taking leading roles including Ian Roberts joining as Chief Supply Chain Officer and Gordon Treanor as Licensed Sales Director.
Roberts said the new facility will provide Suntory Oceania with the perfect platform to disrupt the market and deliver extraordinary fast-track innovation capabilities for the business.
“This is the largest single FMCG investment in Australia in over a decade,” Roberts said. “Our carbon neutral ‘smart’ facility – powered by a combination of solar, biomass and green energy – will give Suntory unrivalled ability to innovate, respond to customer demand, and deliver beverages that are made locally and sustainably.
“Led by our Growing For Good philosophy, Suntory has taken every opportunity to use leading technology and set new standards for sustainable manufacturing in Australia.”
Suntory Oceania brings a portfolio of more than 40 leading brands to market, including Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark Bourbon, Hibiki Japanese Whisky, Canadian Club Whisky, -196, V Energy, Maximus, Suntory Boss Coffee among many more, spanning the premium spirits, RTD, juice, water, soft drinks, coffee, energy, and sports drinks categories.
“Set to be the fourth-largest ANZ beverage group in Oceania,” the new facility is an integral part of Suntory Oceania’s plans for further growth and expansion in Australia. The facility will begin non-alcohol production in mid-2024, with alcohol production commencing in the following year.
Be part of the brand-new team responsible for bringing Suntory’s iconic portfolio to market from mid-2025 – Jim Beam® and Maker’s Mark® Bourbon, Hibiki® Japanese Whisky, Canadian Club® Whisky, and Suntory Minus 196. Suntory Oceania is hiring over 130 roles across Australia and is looking for Territory Managers, Field Sales Representatives, Lead Team Members and more! Discover employment opportunities today.