Latest news with #MosesLubisi
News24
4 days ago
- Business
- News24
20 bottles a second: How Coca-Cola's new R365m Midrand line ramps up Powerade, Bonaqua output
Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) has invested R365 million in a new line at its Midrand plant to produce 72 000 bottles an hour and supply South Africa, Eswatini, and Lesotho with its Bonaqua water and Powerade energy drinks. The group's newly launched Powerade Springboks Edition will also be produced at the new plant, which is six times as fast as its old Wadeville plant, which up until now has produced Bonaqua products for South Africa. It is also nearly four times quicker than its Pretoria West facility, which had supplied Powerade. Speaking to News24 on the sidelines of the new hydration line's official launch on Friday, Moses Lubisi, manufacturing and technical director at Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa, said the Pretoria West plant had older technology that produced about 19 000 bottles an hour, while Wadeville, which produced Bonaqua Pump, delivered 12 000 bottles an hour. In Wadeville, too, the technology was becoming outdated. Now, the two lines will be replaced with one 'supercharged' line in Midrand that is significantly more efficient. Nick Wilson/ News24 He said the 72 000 bottles produced on the new line equated to 1 200 bottles every minute. Breaking it down even further, this meant that 20 bottles were 'zipping through the filling machine every second'. 'That's fast by anybody's standards, and we are proud to bring this under Coke's banner right here in Midrand.' He said the investment represented a 'major step' forward in the group's ability to meet growing consumer demand and 'create shared value across the local value chain'. Supplied/ Coca-Cola Beverages Africa 'This technology reaffirms the Coca-Cola Company's commitment and approach to manufacture locally, distribute locally, and, where possible, to source locally.' CCBA said in a statement that the production line would produce Bonaqua Pump Still in the 750ml pack and Powerade in the 500ml pack sizes with an 'innovative sports bottle cap', as well as the Bonaqua Still in 330ml and 500ml packs. Supplied/ Coca-Cola Beverages SA The smaller pack sizes for Bonaqua Pump Still formed part of the group's plan to focus on expanding the hydration category. CCBA, which operates in 15 African countries, said it was the eighth-largest Coca-Cola bottler in the world by revenue, and the largest in Africa, accounting for more than 40% of all Coca-Cola's ready-to-drink beverages sold in Africa by volume. CCBA's shareholders include The Coca-Cola Company with 66.5% and Gutsche Family Investments with 33.5%. SA is the largest market in the CCBA group and home to 13 manufacturing plants across six provinces, with more than 7 000 employees.
Zawya
4 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Coca-Cola Beverages Africa invests R365m in new high-speed line in South Africa
Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) ( has invested R365m in a new state-of-the-art bottling line capable of producing 72,000 bottles per hour at its plant in Midrand, South Africa. The high-speed production line marks a South African first, producing Bonaqua Pump Still 750ml and Powerade 500ml packs with an innovative sports bottle cap. Beyond this milestone, the line will also produce Bonaqua Still in 330ml and 500ml packs, further driving the company's efforts to expand its hydration category. Underscoring a commitment to innovation, the line will additionally produce the recently launched Powerade Springboks Edition. 'By launching this new line, we strengthen our ability to meet growing consumer demand and create shared value across the local value chain, including for our customers and communities,' said Moses Lubisi, Manufacturing and Technical Director at Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA), a company in the CCBA group. 'Importantly, this investment reaffirms the Coca-Cola system's local approach – we produce locally, distribute locally and, where possible, source locally.' 'At CCBA, our passion for refreshing the continent drives everything we do,' said Sunil Gupta, Chief Executive Officer of CCBA. 'This new production line in South Africa represents a key step in our ambitious growth plans in all our markets on the continent. It enhances our ability to meet consumer needs while reinforcing our commitment to delivering reliability and top-quality beverages across Africa.' To help support the company's environmental goals, the new production line features advanced technology to optimise water and energy use. Additionally, the line required skills training for employees, contributing to the development of a future-ready workforce for both the business and the country. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa. ISSUED BY: Motshidisi Mokwena Head: Reputation and Communication Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa Tel: +27 83 306 0349 Email: mmokwena@ Keli Fernie Head: Reputation and Communication Coca-Cola Beverages Africa Tel: +27 82 419 8766 Email: kfernie@ Follow us on: LinkedIn: About CCBA: CCBA is the eighth largest Coca-Cola authorised bottler in the world by revenue, and the largest on the continent. It accounts for over 40% of all Coca-Cola ready-to-drink beverages sold in Africa by volume. With over 18,000 employees in Africa, CCBA group services more than 735,000 customers with a host of international and local brands. CCBA group operates in 15 countries, including its six key markets of South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Mozambique and Namibia, as well as Tanzania, Botswana, Ghana, Zambia, the islands of Comoros and Mayotte, Eswatini, Lesotho, and Malawi. Learn more at
