Coca-Cola opens first bottling plant in Laos in partnership with ThaiNamthip Limited to support global growth strategy
New Lao plant is Joint Venture between ThaiNamthip Limited and Lao firm PT Sole Co., Ltd.
Investment to date in Laos tops US$ 30 million (Bht 1,050 million approx)
Chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company Muhtar Kent presides over opening of ‘strategic plant that completes ASEAN presence’
Lao Coca-Cola Bottling Co., Ltd., a joint venture between ThaiNamthip Limited and Lao firm PT Sole Co., Ltd., today, announced the inauguration of the first Coca-Cola bottling plant in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic at a ceremony presided over by Mr. Muhtar Kent, Chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company.
The plant, located in Saithani District of Vientiane province, will produce sparkling beverages for the Lao market, including Coca-Cola, Fanta, and Sprite with the possibility of adding still beverage production lines at a later date.
Mr. Kent, said, “The inauguration of local manufacturing in Laos completes the Coca-Cola system’s presence in ASEAN. With the establishment of this plant, our business now proudly manufactures and distributes beverages locally in each of the 10 ASEAN member countries, providing tangible economic benefit to the communities we serve. We are confident that Southeast Asia will continue to be one of the most vibrant regions in the world for growth, having achieved sustained economic growth of around 5 percent annually, and we look forward to continuing to invest throughout the region alongside our local bottling partners.”
Mr. Pornwut Sarasin, Chairman of Lao Coca-Cola Bottling Co., Ltd. and Chairman of ThaiNamthip Limited, said, “The successful inauguration of the Lao plant marks another significant step in ThaiNamthip’s regionalization as one of the region’s most experienced beverage bottling and distribution businesses. We are committed to sharing within all AEC countries ThaiNamthip’s long and deep expertise in the production and distribution of beverages. With more than a billion baht already invested in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, the Coca-Cola system has, in addition to the plant, also established three distribution centres and is serving over 4,300 retailers every week. We expect the Coca-Cola system to invest a further US$10 million (approximately 350 million baht) in the next two years.”
He said that the Lao plant will also complement Coca-Cola’s supply chain in northeastern Thailand with the supply of some beverages from the Lao plant that will further enhance customer service levels in northeastern Thailand.
Mr. Van Hoang Dau, Director of Lao Coca-Cola Bottling Co., Ltd. and Chairman of PT Sole Co., Ltd., said, “In addition to our goal to serve the economic development of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, we are committed to partnerships with stakeholders to invest and deliver on Coca-Cola’s global sustainability commitments. We have been working with the Population and Community Development Association and the National University of Laos to produce rain water storage jars for villagers. Already, some 500 units of 2,000 liter jars have been built, benefitting 1,000 villagers in two villages in Saithani.”