The Coca-Cola Company is poised to make a significant investment of INR 3,000 crore to establish a plant for beverage bases and concentrates in Sanand, Gujarat. This foreign direct investment (FDI) will be directed through International Refreshments (India) Private Limited (IRIPL), a subsidiary of The Coca-Cola Company, which is an American multinational.
The state government has allocated a plot of land measuring 1.6 lakh square meters (SM-52) in Sanand Industrial Estate-II for the plant. Government sources have verified that the approval process has been accelerated, underscoring the company’s dedication to its investment in Gujarat.
“Coca Cola has already made two large investments through its bottling partners in Gujarat. The government has fast tracked the process of approvals and has already made land allotment to the company,” TOI quoted senior officials in the state administration as saying.
Earlier, the company made substantial investments in Gujarat in collaboration with its bottling partner, Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Limited.
The upcoming Sanand plant is anticipated to feature full automation, integrating robotic technology, Internet of Things (IoT), and machine-learning devices for continuous real-time monitoring and control of manufacturing processes. Furthermore, automated storage and retrieval systems will contribute to increased efficiency.
As per the TOI report, the company intends to hire approximately 1,000 individuals, encompassing both skilled and unskilled workers, during the construction phase. Once operational, the plant is expected to generate employment for about 400 individuals in operational and engineering positions, with an emphasis on promoting gender diversity.
The inception of this new plant is set to create a favorable ripple effect on related industries, such as packaging suppliers, flavor producers, engineering services, capital goods, and the automation sector.