LIDL GB ANNOUNCE NEW BRITISH BOTTLING SITE

• Lidl GB and Schwarz Produktion continue ongoing investment in Great Britain with new bottling production plant in Derby
• Operated by MEG, part of Schwarz Produktion, the site has a production capacity of 380 million bottles per year and recently started supplying to Lidl stores across Great Britain
• The new facility has created around 90 high-skilled jobs for the local economy and sits on a site the size of approximately nine football pitches

12 February 2024 – Lidl GB has announced the launch of a bottling plant in Derby, which has recently started supplying to Lidl stores across Great Britain. The facility will bottle water and produce a variety of soft drinks, with a production capacity of 380 million bottles per year.

The plant called MEG Derby Ltd is part of Schwarz Produktion, the umbrella brand of the Schwarz Group’s production companies. MEG is one of Germany's leading mineral water and soft drink manufacturers, and this marks their first venture in Great Britain.

By localising production, the move will simplify transport logistics and significantly reduce the distance the products travel to stores, thereby improving Lidl's carbon footprint and reducing costs. The plant will also provide a boost to the local economy with the creation of about 90 new jobs.

Richard Bourns, Chief Commercial Officer, Lidl GB commented, "This new venture with MEG Derby Ltd. marks a significant milestone in our commitment to improving efficiency, reducing our impact on the environment and providing our customers with great quality products at the lowest possible prices. Bringing production of this key product closer to home makes sense and aligns with Lidl GB's vision of contributing positively to the local community and economy.”

Jörg Aldenkott, CEO at Schwarz Produktion, commented, "The inauguration of MEG Derby Ltd. represents a pivotal moment for Schwarz Produktion. As our first venture in Great Britain, it underscores our commitment to sustainable growth, and will allow us to serve Lidl stores across Great Britain. As one of the leading soft drink and mineral water manufacturers in Germany we know investments like these pay off, and I can’t think of a better place to do it than in Great Britain.”

ENDS

About Lidl GB

Since establishing itself in Great Britain in 1994, Lidl GB has experienced continuous growth and today has over 31,000 employees, over 960 stores and 14 distribution centres in England, Scotland and Wales.

As part of the Schwarz retail group, Lidl is one of Europe’s leading organisations in the food retail industry. The supermarket, which has around 376,000 employees globally, currently operates approximately 12,200 stores and more than 220 logistics centers and warehouses in 31 countries.

The supermarket takes pride in providing its customers with the highest quality products at the lowest possible prices throughout Great Britain, from Kirkwall to the Isle of Wight. Social responsibility and sustainability are at the core of the company's daily operations, with the company placing a strong emphasis on its responsibility for people, society, and the environment. Lidl GB is passionate about working with British producers and sources two thirds of its products from British suppliers.

The Schwarz Group, which operates worldwide as a retail group, generated a turnover of €154.1 billion in the financial year 2022.

For more information about Lidl GB visit https://corporate.lidl.co.uk/

About MEG

MEG Derby is a new beverage plant and is part of the MEG beverage network. It is the first Schwarz Produktion location outside Germany. Since the end of 2023, about 90 employees in Derby (United Kingdom) have been producing mineral water and soft drinks for Lidl stores in Great Britain.

Schwarz Produktion is the umbrella brand of the production facilities of the Schwarz Group and is one of the most significant food producers in Germany. In total, over 5,500 employees in companies of Schwarz Produktion produce high-quality food as well as sustainable packaging and materials for the retail chains, Lidl and Kaufland.

About Schwarz Produktion

Schwarz Produktion is the umbrella brand of the production facilities of the Schwarz Group, located in Germany. In total, over 5,500 employees in companies of Schwarz Produktion produce high-quality food as well as sustainable packaging and materials for the retail chains, Lidl and Kaufland.

In addition to mineral water and soft drinks, companies of Schwarz Produktion also produce chocolate, dried fruits, baked goods, coffee, pasta products, ice cream and paper. Furthermore, the company’s three plastics and recycling plants in Germany make up the central component of a one-of-a-kind PET recycling loop, producing PET preforms made largely of 100 percent recycled material.

Significant organisational and administrative tasks are conducted on behalf of all producing companies from the headquarters in Weißenfels (Saxony-Anhalt, Germany). Approximately 450 employees in central departments such as Sales, Product Management, Quality, Purchasing, Finance, Controlling, HR, IT etc., ensure smooth production processes.