Beverage firm opens new distribution hub in Manila

MANILA – Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines Inc. (CCBPI), the bottling arm of Coca-Cola, has opened its new distribution center in Manila as part of its bullish investment plan in the country for 2021.

Inaugurated last Jan.18, the new distribution hub in Manila will serve as a model site for all Coca-Cola distribution centers nationwide as it uses a smart logistics system, using innovative and advanced technologies.

“We have something really in common with the City of Manila – our vision, our commitment to try and rebuild, restart the economy and small businesses, is hugely important to us in CCBPI,” CCBPI chief executive officer and president Gareth McGeown said in a statement Friday.

CCBPI also said all regular employees in the Manila Distribution Center will be residents of the city.

“This aligns with a Company principle, as well as an action impact study which observed that the company strives to create more opportunities in the communities it operates in: for every one direct job at the Coca-Cola bottling arm, the company generates seven more across its value chain,” the firm added.

CCBPI committed to continuing its investments in the country despite the Covid-19 pandemic, adding that its investment outlook for this year was not dampened by the health and economic crisis.

Last year, the beverage firm invested USD22 million to expand its manufacturing lines.

The company will also start the operation of PETValue Philippines, a polyethylene terephthalate or PET bottle recycling facility, in General Trias, Cavite.

The Board of Investments (BOI) registered the PHP2.3-billion facility as a pioneer project.