Nilai, March 14: Coca-Cola is optimistic about the Malaysian economy and will invest another RM500 million which part of it will be used to expand the size and production capacity of its current plant in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan.
“When Coca-Cola re-launched the Malaysia business in 2010 it announced an investment of RM1 billion in Malaysia, which was fulfilled last year and I am delighted to kick off 2017 by announcing that an additional RM500 million will be invested in Malaysia,” said Chief Executive Officer, Bottling Investments Group Singapore-Malaysia-Brunei for The Coca-Cola Company, Stephen Lusk at their plant expansion groundbreaking ceremony in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan yesterday.
Investment in the expansion is an additional 10 acres to complement the current plant of 31 acres. Construction commenced in March 2017 and is expected to be completed in stages and be fully operational by 2020.
Through this expansion, Coca-Cola Malaysia will have over 1,000 direct employees, another 10,000 indirect jobs in companies supporting the suppliers, logistics, small and medium enterprise as well as Malaysian companies that support the business supply chain and retailers.
“Today, we are reiterating our commitment and confidence in our business partners, local communities in Malaysia and the confidence that we have in our great people.” said Lusk.
Newly purchased land will house a state of the art automated warehouse with an Automated Storage and Retrieval System, while freeing up space within the existing plant for additional production lines over time.
Been around since 1936, Coca-Cola is proud of the extension plant that will increase production and expand into new categories and products. With that, towards becoming a total beverage company in Malaysia, Coca-Cola will also feature solar panels, water saving feature and reduced electricity consumption.
“Coca-Cola is the only major beverage company in Malaysia that makes and sells zero calorie and zero sugar soft drinks. Our product beverages include Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite, A&W, Schweppes, Glaceau, Heaven and Earth and Minute Maid Pulpy brands, as well as Dasani drinking water for Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei.” added Lusk.