India: SLMG Beverages to invest in bottling facilities

SLMG Beverages, a subsidiary of Ladhani Group and the largest independent bottler of Coca-Cola in India, has announced plans to invest INR 8,000 crore ($919.6 million) to set up new bottling plants and expand existing facilities.

As part of its expansion strategy, SLMG Beverages is investing 1,200 crore INR ($137.9 million) in a new plant in Buxar, in the state of Bihar, alongside a second bottling facility in the same state at a cost of 1,500 crore INR ($172.4 million). The company also intends to broaden its operations across Uttar Pradesh and into other regions where it sees potential.

Commenting on the move, SLMG Beverages joint managing director Paritosh Ladhani said: “Currently, we are among the top 15 bottlers globally for Coca-Cola and its largest independent bottler in India. We aim to be among the top ten Coca-Cola bottlers worldwide in the coming years. We have rapid expansion plans and will be investing about a billion dollars in the beverage business over the next five years”.

SLMG Beverages currently operates with an installed capacity of 33,000 bpm (bottlings per minute) and expects to double its revenue to 20,000 crore INR ($2.41 billion) within the next five years.

Source: Economic Times / Food Business Africa