FILE PHOTO: Coca-cola soda is shown on display during a preview of a new Walmart Super Center prior to its opening in Compton, California, U.S., January 10, 2017. REUTERS/Mike Blake/File Photo
NILAI: Coca-Cola Malaysia will invest RM500mil to expand the size and production capacity of its current plant at Bandar Enstek, near Nilai.
Chief executive officer of Bottling Investment Group Singapore - Malaysia-Brunei, Stephen Lusk, said construction on another 4.047ha, adjacent to the 12.545ha of the current plant, was expected to begin in the first quarter of this year and be fully operational in 2020.
“When completed, Coca-Cola Malaysia will have 1,000 direct employees, while creating another 10,000 indirect jobs in companies supporting the business supply chain,” he added.
He was speaking at the plant expansion ground breaking ceremony on Monday.
It was officiated by the Tunku Besar Seri Menanti, Tunku Ali Redhauddin Tuanku Muhriz.
Coca-Cola has invested RM1bil in Malaysia since 2010, creating more than 800 jobs and over 75,000 customers directly with a total reach of over 200,000 customers nationwide.
Its plant in Bandar Enstek serves as the halal production hub for the Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei markets, producing beverages under the Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite, A & W, Schweppes, Glaceau, Heaven and Earth, Minute Maid Pulpy and Dasani brands.
Lusk said the additional investment by the company is an indication of optimism and outlook towards the Malaysian economy.
The first stage of the plant expansion is expected to be completed by year- end and will house a state of the art automated warehouse with an Automated Storage and Retrieval System, as well as additional production lines over time, as the company expands into different beverage categories.
Lusk said with the new expansion, it will give the company the capability to add production lines and increase exports to other South-East Asian countries, besides Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore.
Asked whether the company would increase the price of products due to the recent increase in sugar price, he said there would be a small rise that has already been factored in by the market. - Bernama
