RM500M TO EXPAND NILAI PLANT
New facility will allow firm to boost production and add beverage categories
COCA Cola Malaysia will invest another RM500 million to expand the size and production capacity of its plant in Bandar Enstek, near here.
Coca-Cola has invested RM1 billion in Malaysia since 2010, creating more than 800 jobs and 75,000 customers directly with a total reach of over 200,000 customers nationwide.
The expansion of current plant, which began operating in 2011 and serves as the halal production hub for Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei markets, will start on a 4ha plot adjacent to the current facility, which spans 12.5ha.
Coca-Cola Bottling Investment Group Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei chief executive officer Stephen James Lusk said the expansion was expected to be completed in 2020.
“The extension of our plant will allow us to increase production and expand into new categories and products as we evolve towards becoming a total beverage company in Malaysia,” he said.
“The plant extension will house a state-of-the-art automated warehouse with an automated storage and retrieval system, besides featuring solar panels, water-saving features and reduced electricity consumption.
“Once completed, Coca Cola Malaysia will have more than 1,000 direct employees, while creating another 10,000 indirect jobs in companies supporting the business chain,” he said at the groundbreaking, here, yesterday.
The ceremony was officiated by Tunku Besar Seri Menanti Tunku Ali Redhauddin Ibni Tuanku Muhriz.
On another development, Lusk said the company would try to maintain the price of its products despite the recent hike in sugar prices.
“We are managing the situation to prevent our customers from being affected by the increase in the sugar prices,” he said.