Coca-Cola Sabco has launched a new bottling plant in Mozambique, boosting its operations in the Southern African country.
Claimed to be the Coca-Cola Sabco's largest of its kind across its seven-country market in Southern and East Africa, the $130m green-field facility has a capacity to produce 48,000 bottles an hour.
The facility features fully computerized operations including energy, waste water recycling and building management systems.
Coca-Cola chairman and CEO Muhtar Kent said: "We have continued to increase investment in our business in Africa and are proud to be one of the largest employers across Africa as well as Mozambique."
Employing 400 people, the Mozambique plant features two bottling lines including one for glass bottles and one for PET plastic bottles.
The firm plans to add a third line for glass bottles in the future.
Kent added: "This facility, which is proudly operated by our local partners from Coca-Cola Sabco, is the latest example of our continued commitment to refresh African consumers, while at the same time creating opportunities for enterprise and employment along our supply chain."
In Africa, Coca-Cola operates 145 bottling facilities, employing more than 70,000 people.
Coca-Cola Sabco Managing Director Simon Everest added: "We need to look ahead and understand the trends and forces that will shape our business in the future and be able to move swiftly to prepare for what's to come.
"The Matola Gare plant is an example of how we are getting ready for tomorrow, today."
