US-based soft drinks manufacturer Coca-Cola has opened its 43rd bottling plant in Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China with an investment of CNY650m ($106m).
The new facility is part of the company's three-year, $4bn investment plan for 2012-2014 to strengthen its position in the country and is expected to help in meeting increasing consumer demands in the beverage market.
The 170,000m2 plant will be responsible for bottling both sparkling and still beverage lines that produce Coca-Cola, Sprite, Fanta, and Minute Maid.
Coca-Cola chairman and chief executive officer Muhtar Kent said the latest investment is vital for the company in achieving its 2020 Vision goals, and possible due to partnerships with COFCO and other bottling partners.
"This new plant in Shijiazhuang will help Coca-Cola create a lasting positive impact in the community and contribute to a sustainable future for the people of Hebei," Kent said.
The beverage manufacturer also plans to install three additional lines over the next few years in the Hebei province, which is considered as the country's most important growth markets.
COFCO Coca-Cola president and chief operation officer Zhang Jixiang said, "Today's inauguration of this world-class plant is a major milestone. Upon completion, it will become the largest of our 12 Coca-Cola bottling plants in China."
