Konings acquires fruit juice factory Copella

Belgian drinks manufacturer Konings has acquired PepsiCo’s fruit juice production facility in Britishin Boxford, which makes Copella’s and Trop50’s juices. Back in 2011, the company acquired PepsiCo’s Looza filling plant in Borgloon as well.

Similarities with Looza

Boxford’s fruit juice factory has an annual volume of 40 million liters and employs 100 people. The Copella and Trop50 brands are not part of the deal and still belong to their respective owners. A remarkable fact is that prior to PepsiCo’s involvement, both Copella and Looza belonged to Tropicana. Konings will continue to work for all brands involved, despite the acquisition. Ever since Konings sold its Smeets gin brand in 2011, which it had only acquired 10 years earlier, it no longer has any brands of its own. It is fully focused on manufacturing for others.

In the British media, fruit farmers have expressed their concern about the supply of Jonagold apples to create Copella fruit juices. They fear Konings will import a share of the fruit, although they do admit it is too early to judge at this point.