The much-loved brand is expected to be back on shop shelves in coming months.
The Halls soft drinks are now under production at the former MOJO Kombucha production facility at Willunga, which was closed last year when Coca Cola announced it was exiting the Kombucha market.
The Malinauskas Labor Government is supporting the return of Halls with a $500,000 contribution from the Thriving Regions Fund for the Willunga bottling facility.
The manufacturer has already re-engaged five former staff and has plans to grow. Halls has a rich history in South Australia, with the brand founded in 1849 by George Hall at a site in Marryatville.
His sons joined the company in 1869 and they moved to a larger premises in Norwood in east Adelaide in 1872. A hundred years later, the Halls brand was bought by Coca Cola, which continued to produce the drinks at its Thebarton bottling plant until the brand was discontinued in 2000.
The new Halls drinks are being produced in classic glass bottles, with 330mL already in production and 1 litre varieties soon to begin on the bottling line.
As put by Peter Malinauskas
I, like many South Australians have fond memories of Halls soft drinks, and I know many will leap at the chance to get another taste of Fruita, Lemon Twist or Halls Lemonade.
The great news is, they’ll be in shops soon.
I’m very pleased my Government can play a role in helping re-establish this icon, in a key part of our state, creating jobs and industry.
As put by Clare Scriven
We’re excited to welcome a new addition to South Australia’s thriving beverage industry, and it’s even more exciting that this one is an old favourite.
The return of Halls will provide a touch of nostalgia for many, but just as importantly, it’s creating jobs to grow our regional communities.
As put by the Member for Mawson Leon Bignell
Our local region is known around the world as a premium producer of food and beverages.
Our area has it all, from the top quality Fleurieu Milk products, to more than 100 premium red and white wine producers and more than a dozen brewers and distillers.
And now, with Halls coming to Willunga, we have the Lemon Twist to add to the local gin, lemonade to go with a local stout and Fruita which is perfect on its own any time of the day.
As put by South Australian Bottling Company CEO Cameron Ballard
The level of public interest and support surrounding the come back of Halls Soft Drinks has been quite unbelievable, and extremely humbling.
We are beyond excited to now be in production and nearing the day that South Australians can finally enjoy Halls once again.
We are immensely grateful for the contribution pledged through Thriving Regions Fund.
It will be instrumental in fast tracking our growth plans, and hiring more local people to help achieve these goals
