CCA plans K300 million project in Lae

Business, Normal
Source:

The National, Tuesday 28th August 2012

COCA-Cola Amatil is planning a K300 million redevelopment project that will take place at its Lae production facility in the next five year, CCA PNG general manager Peter Carey said.
“The facility expansion will enable capacity to deal with the strong PNG demand growth up to 2020,” he said.
“Employment levels are projected to increase to 1,500 people over the next five years.
“We have growth plans ahead and it is an exciting time for our PNG business.
“The investment in Lae will boost output on the product lines already in place there and adding new lines to the current product offer of soft drinks in PET bottles, water, cordials, fruit juices and canned soft drinks.”
Carey said CCA was committed to Papua New Guinea through employment and investment to expanding its operations.
“The Port Moresby manufacturing facility, which we opened early this year, reflects over a K30 million investment and gives CCA the opportunity to continue to grow our business in PNG,” he said.
“It also gives us the opportunity to better service our customers.
“We are very proud to say our products are PNG made.” 
The Port Moresby beverage bottling production line which includes the installation of the Krones Ergobloc PET bottle self-manufacturing, or “blow-fill” technology, means that CCA PNG can now manufacture its own bottles, and fill, label and pack them in one operation.
“PNG will become a showcase for ground breaking technology,” Carey said.  as the Ergobloc is the first of its kind in the Coca-Cola Amatil group, and the Coca-Cola system worldwide,” Carey said.
He said Coca-Cola was entrenched in PNG culture and the brand love remained strong.
Carey announced a soon-to-be-launched Coke & Meals campaign which will bring a new level to media and market activation in-store.
‘The campaign will further promote the PNG Made message which is important to our country,” he said.