World class
SOFT DRINK MANUFACTURER
Since 1919 Norbev has prided itself on maintaining character as a family business with a strong heritage and traditional values. With partnerships at the heart of the business Norbev has become a leading soft drink manufacturer through its continuous investment and a close working relationship with the world’s leading brands.
WHO WE ARE
PRODUCTION COMMENCED IN A LAUNDRY BUILDING BY HAND
Production commenced in an old laundry building at 17 Railway Place where glass bottles were washed, labelled and corked by hand.
1919
FIRST LORRIES PURCHASED
Guy lorries were purchased to deliver products to local shops replacing the traditional method of horse drawn carts.
1927
DOOR TO DOOR SALES INTRODUCED
First door to door sales was introduced by the Braid Mineral Water Company into Northern Ireland.
1949
BALLYMENA SITE
Expansion of delivery fleet in the late 1950’s required relocation to a larger site at 100 Railway St Ballymena and a purpose built factory constructed. Production commenced in 1961.
1961
COCA-COLA BOTTLING BEGINS
First Contract bottling undertaken for Coca-cola.
1973
PET BOTTLES INTRODUCED & COMPANY RENAMED
Change in direction from returnable glass products to contract packing of PET bottles. The ‘Braid’ name and door-to-door distribution was then sold and the factory refitted for contract packaging and PET bottles. The company was renamed; ‘Northern Beverages’, a subsidiary of the parent company Braid Holdings.
1995
NEW HIGH SPEED LINE INSTALLED – LINE 1
A new high speed line was installed in April. The line had the flexibility to produce various sizes and shapes of bottles with a maximum capacity of producing 25,000 bottles per hour.
2004
NEW HIGH SPEED LINE INSTALLED – LINE 2
Norbev continued to experience growth, with the installation of state of the art bottling lines and expansion of the range of products from carbonated, still with sports closures to pasteurised products and fruit juices for local and overseas markets.
2007
NEW HIGH SPEED LINE INSTALLED – LINE 3
The installation of Line 3. The 2.7 million investment introduced the latest cutting edge technology, opening up new markets and presenting new opportunities with the added feature of producing ‘shot’ bottles at commercial volumes as well as online sleeving and cardboard multipacking.
2010
NEW HIGH SPEED LINE INSTALLED – LINE 4
The installation of Line 4, complete with on line bottle blowing.
2017
NEW HIGH SPEED LINE INSTALLED – LINE 5
The first Tetra Water Line installation.
2018
FIND OUT MORE
Learn more about contract manufacturing of beverages and soft drinks with Norbev.