Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) has made a $50m investment in a new bottling line at its plant in Windhoek, Namibia.
The new bottling line, capable of producing 27,000 bottles per hour, will increase the facility's production capacity by 30%.
This strategic move is expected to “stimulate growth” across the company's value chain, the company said in a statement.
Speaking on the cash injection, Coca-Cola Beverages Africa Namibia general manager Pottie de Bruyn said: “We’ve ensured that this production line goes beyond output numbers It’s about creating shared opportunities across the value chain.
“The increased production also provides a boost to local businesses that supply us with raw materials and services.”
The investment also supports the installation of a water treatment plant featuring “state-of-the-art” water recovery technology aimed at reducing overall consumption.
The sum will also go towards "the integration of advanced technology, including artificial intelligence", which "will require skills training for employees". Just Drinks has asked CCBA to confirm how AI will be used specifically at the bottling line.
CCBA CEO Sunil Gupta said: “This investment is a clear demonstration of our continued belief in the future of Namibia.
“As a customer-centric, digitally enabled, growth-driven business, we are committed to excellence across our value chain. Efficient operations allow us to offer faster delivery and superior service. This new production line is another step in our journey to achieve even greater levels of execution excellence.”
CCBA operates two bottling plants in Namibia, in Windhoek and Oshakati, which produce 11 brands including Appletiser sparkling apple juice, Predator energy drinks and Fanta. It also manages warehouses in Otjiwarongo, Walvis Bay and Keetmanshoop.
The business claims to be the eighth largest global Coca-Cola bottling partner by revenue, and the biggest in Africa.
CCBA's history in Namibia dates back to 2012 when Namibia Beverages became a private company and rebranded as Coca-Cola Namibia Bottling Company.
CCNBC maintained its original 1995 share partners, Paradise Beverages and Namibia Development Corporation (formerly known as Amcom).
CCBA commenced operations in the country in 2016 and Coca-Cola Namibia Bottling Company became a subsidiary of CCBA.
The group faced legal challenges in South Africa in 2022, when the Competition Appeal Court ruled the company had breached conditions related to two mergers in 2016 and 2017.
Eight years ago, competition officials in South Africa approved a deal between SABMiller, The Coca-Cola Co. and Gutsche Family Investment that created Africa’s largest bottler.
In 2017, Coca-Cola Co. acquired SABMiller’s stake in the business.
Both the 2016 and 2017 transactions, included agreements to safeguard employee rights.
In June 2022, the Appeal Court found CCBA's local subsidiary guilty of retrenching 368 employees in 2019, thus violating the agreed-upon conditions.
