27/06/12

Coca-Cola is to invest an additional US$3 billion in India over the next eight years, bringing its total investment in the country over the period to $US5 billion.

The Coca-Cola system has already invested more than US$2 billion in India since it re-entered the country in 1993.

"Achieving continued sustainable, responsible growth in India is core to achieving our 2020 Vision of doubling system revenues in this decade," said Muhtar Kent, chairman and CEO, The Coca-ColaCompany. "Our ongoing investment in India is focused on delivering innovation, partnerships and a portfolio that enhances the consumer experience, ensures product affordability and builds brand loyalty to deliver long-term growth."

According to the company, NARTD (non-alcoholic ready-to-drink) beverages have enormous growth potential in India. Coca-Cola India has registered unit case volume growth in India for the past 23 quarters, 17 of which have seen double-digit growth.

Two of Coke’s core sparkling brands - Thums Up and Sprite - are said to be the country's top selling soft drink brands while brand Coca-Cola is one of the country's fastest growing sparkling brands, most recently reporting 27% growth in the first quarter. In the still beverage category,Coca-Cola's Maaza is India's largest selling juice drink.

The Coca-Cola Company and its bottling partners plan to capture growth in India with investments in innovation, expansion of distribution network, cold drink equipment placement and augmentation of manufacturing capacity.

The Coca-Cola India system currently directly employs more than 25,000 people and is estimated to have created indirect employment for more than 150,000 people in related industries through its procurement, supply chain and distribution system.

Worldwide, The Coca-Cola Company and its bottling partners are investing more than $30 billion over the next five years to support anticipated growth. These investments range from new manufacturing facilities to new distribution systems to new marketing investments in emerging economies.