Last updated on August 29th, 2022 at 01:32 pm
Coca-Cola China’s 42nd bottling plant in Yingkou, Liaoning, that opened March 29 is the largest Coca-Cola production facility in China. Spanning an area of more than 170,000 square meters (42 acres), the plant represents a $160 million investment in China and is part of a three-year, $4 billion investment plan announced last year that underscores the Coca-Cola system’s confidence in China and its fast-growing beverage market.
Upon completion, this third bottling plant in Liaoning, operated by Coca-Cola Liaoning (Central) Beverages Co. Ltd., is expected to reach an annual production capacity of more than 5 billion servings of sparkling and still beverages, including Coca-Cola, Sprite, Minute Maid and Ice Dew. Coca-Cola plans to invest in nine production lines at the new facility, with four currently in operation.
The plant will directly create 500 jobs and generate an additional 5,000 job opportunities in the supporting industries. Together with two other existing plants in Shenyang and Dalian, this new investment will allow Coca-Cola to provide better services and refreshing products that quench the thirst of 44 million consumers in Liaoning Province and enhance its contribution to local development, the Atlanta-based company says.
“This $160 million commitment to Yingkou is more than an investment in Coca-Cola’s expansion to capitalize on the fast-growing China market. It is also an important step by Coca-Cola to assist in the development of local communities throughout China,” said Muhtar Kent at the opening ceremony.
On March 28, the day before the opening ceremony, Kent met with Liaoning Party Secretary Wang Min and other key officials to discuss investment opportunities for the future in the province.
“China is a vast growth market for Coca-Cola. As we work to double the size of our global business in this decade, China will play a critical role,” said Kent.
China is one of the fastest-growing markets for Coca-Cola, with volume expanding by 13 percent in 2011, maintaining double-digit growth in nine of the last 10 years. Consumption of Coca-Cola products in China now represents approximately 8 percent of the company’s global volume. Coca-Cola reported strong volume growth across its entire sparkling portfolio in 2011 with Coca-Cola, Sprite and Fanta each posting double-digit growth for both the fourth quarter and the full year. This growth is driven by a renewed focus on core brands, continued distribution gains and the expansion of cooler facings in China. Coca-Cola’s still beverage portfolio in China also continued to report rapid growth with Minute Maid, the world’s No. 1 juice brand by volume, achieving double-digit growth in 2011.
