Refresco purchased the former bottling plant in the fall of 2018 to increase its manufacturing presence in the Midwest. Company officials said they will be adding 50 new jobs by the end of this summer. Once the expansion is completed, the facility will employ close to 100 people and will increase its production capacity to about 50,000 cases per day.
Plant Manager Jason Stafford said the plant operates one bottling line that has expanded from a single shift to two shifts. He said the company ultimately hopes to expand to three shifts on each of the two lines, which would create more job openings in the future.
“This investment means a lot to the Carlisle team,” Stafford said. “It is always good to be a part of business expansion as it signals confidence in the great things we do as a company and it values employee’s contribution and hard work. As committed stewards of this investment, we want to be valued members of the Carlisle community for many years to come.”
Village Manager Julie Duffy said the company is not receiving any tax incentives for the expansion at the plant located at 300 Industry Drive. The building was formerly operated by Dunn’s River and was a plant for Nestle’s Waters and Trade Winds Tea.
“Our expansion brings much-needed, well-paying jobs to the Carlisle labor market. We are proud to become a key employer in the area,” said Diana Shirley, the company’s human resources manager. “We know that employees will be happy at Refresco.”
Refresco is based in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, employs more than 10,000 people at more than 60 manufacturing plants in the Europe and North America and is the world’s largest independent bottler of beverages for retailer and A-brands, according to its website.
The multi-billion euro company offers product and packaging combinations from 100% fruit juices to carbonated soft drinks and mineral waters in various types of containers including cartons, plastic, cans and glass.
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