NILAI: Coca Cola Malaysia is investing RM500 million to expand the size and production capacity of its current plant here.
The current plant, which began operations in 2011 and serves as the halal production hub for the markets of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, will be expanded by another four hectares, adjacent to the current 12-hectare plant.
Coca-Cola's Bottling Investment Group Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei chief executive officer, Stephen James Lusk, said the plant extension is expected to be fully operational in 2020.
"The extension of our plant will allow us to increase production and expand into new categories and products, as we evolve towards becoming a total beverage company in Malaysia," he said.
"The extension plant will also house a state-of-the-art automated warehouse with an automated storage and retrieval system, besides featuring solar panels, water-saving features and reduced electricity consumption.
"Once the extension project is complete, (it will be staffed) by more than 1,000 direct employees, (and create) another 1,000 indirect jobs in companies supporting the business chain," he said in his speech at the groundbreaking ceremony held here today.
The ceremony was officiated by Tunku Besar Seri Menanti Tunku Ali Redhauddin Ibni Tuanku Muhriz.
Also present was Negri Sembilan state legislative assemblyman Datuk Awaludin Said.