Coca-Cola HBC profits sparkle with 14% rise in 2025

Coca-Cola HBC, the Lisburn-based soft drinks bottling giant, has rebounded strongly in 2025 after a difficult 2024. The company's profits surged by nearly 14%, rising from £35.6 million to £40.5 million. This turnaround comes after a 12% increase in distribution costs had previously dented its profitability. The improvement was driven by a 2.6% increase in sales, reaching £386.2 million, with the UK and Republic of Ireland contributing £207.4 million and £178.8 million respectively.

Coca-Cola HBC NI serves as the strategic bottling partner for The Coca-Cola Company across the island of Ireland. The company produces a range of global brands, including Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite, and Schweppes, alongside locally owned brands like Deep RiverRock and Fruice. It also distributes premium spirits and has recently expanded into the coffee industry with Costa products. In 2023, the company acquired Finlandia Vodka from Brown-Forman.

The company employs 529 staff at its Knockmore Hill facility, with total wages amounting to £36.7 million. Significant investments were made, including a £26 million high-speed recycled-plastic bottling line and the reopening of a fully refurbished visitor experience centre. The centre, originally opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 2010, allows visitors to explore the manufacturing process and history of the company's beverages.

In line with its goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040, Coca-Cola HBC introduced biomethane renewable energy at its Lisburn facility. This initiative is expected to eliminate 108,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions over the next decade, with biomethane planned to supply 50% of energy requirements by late 2026 and 100% by 2028. The company also supported community initiatives, including the 15th year of the Thank You Fund Empowered and charitable donations totaling £30,500.