Beer Marketer's Insights - Copacker DrinkPak Breaks Ground on $350M, 5-Line Philadelphia Plant While Scouting for SE Site

DrinkPak, the fast-expanding copacker that in 5 years already has augmented its sprawling LA site with another in Fort Worth, Texas, has broken ground on its 3d site in Philadelphia while scouting for fourth site in Southeast that would offer comprehensive coverage across US. Sited in newly formed Philly district called Bellwether at former oil refinery along Delaware River, the so-called DP3 site will encompass 1.4 mil sq ft under roof that at completion with bring 3.6 bil cans of annual capacity across 4 filling lines running as fast as 3,000 cans per minute and a fifth automated variety pack line running at 2K cans per minute. Total investment will be $350 mil, cofounder/CEO Nate Patena told us today. State authorities are kicking in $2 mil grant under Pennsylvania First rubric. As at incumbent facilities dubbed DP1 (LA) and DP2 (Ft Worth), new plant will support uncommonly broad array of alc and NA bevs, both still and sparkling, with "next-generation protein drinks including sodas, waters and energy drinks." Its core credo has been "any liquid, any can size, any format." First phase with 2 filling lines and the variety pack line employing 174 full-time workers is planned for opening in Q2 of 2027 at investment of $195 mil, with concluding phase to commence immediately afterward. Like Fort Worth plant, DP3 will feature fully automated robotic warehousing and fulfillment services, co says. By time site is selected in Southeast in coming 3-4 months, DrinkPak will have committed over $1 bil to building out capacity for canned bevs. Latest increment is backed mainly by incumbent investors, Patena said.Some details had leaked out locally with permit applications, tho co was waiting for announcement from office of Gov Josh Shapiro before making its own formal announcement. It had been known to be evaluating competing incentives packages from authorities on Penn and NJ sides of border in Philly area (BBI, Feb 26).Bellwether District is concept led by Chicago developer HRP Group that's said it will invest $4 bil to transform former oil refinery site into an industrial and innovation hub spanning 14 mil sq ft over next 10-15 years, per local reports a month ago. DrinkPak is first tenant. Nate said site currently is occupied by coupla spec buildings but HRP will build its facility to suit.

Copacker DrinkPak Breaks Ground on $350M, 5-Line Philadelphia Plant While Scouting for SE Site

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