Modernizing the site

To increase plant productivity, Perrier imported the highest quality American machines. Between 1948 and 1952, production rose at an incredible rate, skyrocketing from 30 to 150 million bottles! A new plant built in 1950 transformed the site completely. From 6,000 square metres (64,600 square feet), the plant - known as "the cathedral" from then on - grew to 26,000 square metres (280,000 square feet). The investment yielded high returns, with France becoming the no. 1 market for Perrier, absorbing five-sixths of production.

In parallel with modernization, the Vergèze site became truly integrated. Cap manufacturing started in 1954, along with construction of a cardboard box factory. The "Verrerie du Languedoc" (glassworks) debuted in 1973. An integral part of the bottling process, the glassworks now produces all bottles. A sand quarry purchased at the foot of Mont Ventoux supplies the silica sand used to manufacture glass.

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