Streamlining Supply Chains, Coca-Cola Hands Over North India Bottling

Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt. Ltd (HCCB), a subsidiary of The Coca-Cola Company, is transferring bottling operations in three North Indian territories to streamline supply chains. Kandhari Global Beverages will take over the Rajasthan market, SLMG Beverages will handle Bihar, and Moon Beverages will manage the Northeast market and select areas of West Bengal. The move aims to optimize investments, enhance execution, and create scale and contiguity in the business. Juan Pablo Rodriguez, CEO of HCCB India, emphasizes the long-term growth prospects, believing the shift will accelerate the Coca-Cola system and provide greater value to local communities.

This follows HCCB's 2019 divestment in four North Indian territories, aligning with efforts to optimize resources and expand distribution networks. Coca-Cola collaborates with bottling partners globally, and in India, operates HCCB, the largest bottler with 16 operational factories. The re-franchising enables directed investments into innovation, infrastructure, and talent acquisition. HCCB is concurrently establishing new plants in Telangana and Maharashtra, with plans to invest ₹3,000 crore in a Gujarat facility. The strategic move aligns with Coca-Cola's continued investments in India, the fifth-largest market globally, driven by increased demand spurred by improved infrastructure and rural electrification.

( Image: hccb.in)