Coca-Cola to invest Rs. 1,000 cr to set up its second unit in TS

Hyderabad: The Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages (HCCB) will invest about Rs. 1,000 crore to set up its second manufacturing unit in Telangana at Bandathimmapur Food Processing Park in Siddipet. The FMCG company makes beverages like Coke, Thums Up, Sprite, and Limca among others. It already operates a factory at Ameenpur in the city outskirts.

Of the Rs. 1000 crore to be invested over five years, about Rs. 600 crore will be invested in the first phase in the next two years to build a state-of-the-art, digitally-enabled, automated, smart factory at Bandathimmapur that will manufacture juices, enhanced water, packaged water, and sparkling beverages. It will also generate numerous jobs out of which more than 50% will go to women.

The factory is expected to be ready for commercial production at the end of 2023. Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TSIIC) has already allotted land measuring 48.53 acres to HCCB at the Food Park.

Industries and IT minister K.T Rama Rao said the government has allotted about 48.53 acres to HCCB. "HCCB choosing to invest Rs. 1,000 crore in a new plant in Telangana is a resounding endorsement of the industry policies of Telangana. The unit will create direct employment for about 300 people and about 50 per cent of them will be women," he said.

"Telangana values HCCB's presence in the state for over two decades. By announcing the establishment of a second factory on its 25th anniversary, HCCB's commitment to the state deepens. When a large corporation like HCCB chooses to reinvest in a state, it demonstrates the ease of doing business. Telangana is amongst India's most progressive states with policies that provide confidence," he added.

The company also announced an MoU with the Telangana department of industries and commerce for capacity building of organisations in the areas of water, solid waste management, and skill-building. Under the joint initiative, the state government and HCCB will collaborate to impart skill training to over 10,000 youth in two years.

"We are excited about India. The market is better positioned than ever before for future success, as it sits at the cusp of cutting-edge technology, skill, and demographic dividend. Investments by companies like HCCB create a win-win relationship. Our investments lead to multiplier effects as suppliers, transporters, raw material handlers, and human resource partners put in additional resources," said Juan Pablo Rodriguez, the chief commercial officer of Bottling Investments Group, The Coca-Cola Company.