The first-ever Coca-Cola bottling plant in Laos has officially opened for business.
The Lao Coca-Cola Bottling Co. facility in the Saithani District of the Vientiane province will produce Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite and other sparkling brands with the possibility of adding still beverage production lines at a later date. Laos was served previously through exports from a Coca-Cola bottler in Thailand.
Muhtar Kent CEO of The Coca-Cola Company said: “The inauguration of local manufacturing in Laos completes the Coca-Cola system’s presence in ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations).
“With the establishment of this plant, our business now proudly manufactures and distributes beverages locally in each of the 10 ASEAN member countries, providing tangible economic benefit to the communities we serve. We are confident that Southeast Asia will continue to be one of the most vibrant regions in the world for growth, having achieved sustained economic growth of around five percent annually, and we look forward to continuing to invest throughout the region alongside our local bottling partners.”
Lao Coca-Cola Bottling Co is a joint venture between ThaiNamthip Limited and Lao firm PT Sole Co.
Pornwut Sarasin, chairman of LaoCoca-Cola Bottling Co. Ltd added: “The successful inauguration of the Lao plant marks another significant step in ThaiNamthip’s regionalisation as one of the region’s most experienced beverage bottling and distribution businesses.”
“We are committed to sharing within all ASEAN Economic Community countries ThaiNamthip’s long and deep expertise in the production and distribution of beverages. The Coca-Cola system has, in addition to the plant also established three distribution centre’s and is serving over 4,300 retailers every week. We expect the Coca-Cola system to invest a further $10 million in the next two years.”
© FoodBev Media Ltd 2024