From: FoodBev

Coca-Cola India’s authorised franchise bottlers, Kandhari Beverages and Enrich Agro Foods, have agreed to invest in an expansion to its existing bottling operation in the north of the country.

The two companies have signed a memorandum of understanding with the government of Haryana state, west of New Delhi, to invest around INR 5.1bn ($76.1m) in the development of existing manufacturing infrastructure.

This will include an injection of $44.8m in the installation of multiple high-speed manufacturing lines for juice, energy and sparkling drinks at its factory in the north of the state; $24.7m in a new manufacturing line for beverages by 2018 in the centre of the state; and $6.7m in the construction of a packaging unit for the Coca-Cola system.

The three investments are expected to create an additional 325 jobs combined.

Kandhari Beverages executive director Bikram Kandhari said: “On behalf of the entire team at Kandhari Beverages, it gives me immense pleasure to announce this investment which will be utilised to enhance infrastructure in our bottling facilities and setting up new manufacturing lines. The investment is rooted in the government’s vision for the food processing sector and the role that the beverage industry can play in benefitting Indian farmers. It is also in keeping with Coca-Cola’s focus of providing more choice to the consumer.

Enrich Agro Food Products managing director VPS Kandhari added: “The beverage industry has played a critical role in integrating the farmers and millions of retailers. It also has strong backward and forward supply chain linkages, thereby creating a ripple effect across entire value chain. This investment will not only help us in augmenting our production capacity but also play a key role in contributing towards the social and economic well-being of the state.”