Coca-Cola Amatil expands Fiji factory with Krones technology

Coca-Cola Amatil has upgraded its manufacturing facility in Laucala Beach Estate, Fiji, installing Krones Blowfill technology at the site to triple its production capacity.

The new equipment is capable of producing 21,000 bottles an hour, and the upgrade brings Coca-Cola Amatil’s Fiji manufacturing operations into line with the equipment the company uses in New Zealand, Australia and Indonesia.

The new manufacturing technology will produce carbonated and non-carbonated beverages for consumers in Fiji, including water, in sizes ranging from 500ml to 2.25l.

Coca-Cola Amatil did not specify the total amount that it invested to install the line, though $6.5 million of the investment was made via local purchasing and contractors.

Fiji managing director, Roger Hare said: “This has been a few years in the planning and I’m ecstatic that we are now up and running.

“The installation of the Krones equipment began in September 2016 and our people have worked tirelessly to ensure we would be ready to launch today, I’m very proud and grateful for all their efforts.

“The new line has triple the capacity of the current line and not only supports future growth for the next 10 years but enables the Coca-Cola Amatil Fiji business to embark on a significant export-led growth strategy, over the next five-eight years.

“We realised further investment into the Amatil Fiji business was necessary and I have to thank the Amatil Group Leadership Team (GLT) for their incredible support.”