“We chose Timisoara because we’ve been here a number of years and people here convinced us they are more professional,” said Jaak Mikkel, general manager Coca-Cola HBC Romania.
The company also considered the export potential. Timisoara is better positioned than the other plants in Romania for exports, which is why the new bottling line was added with export in mind, as well, he said.
The soft drinks bottled in Timisoara will go to the countries around Romania and as far as Greece, the officials say. Coca-Cola HBC Romania also invested more than EUR20 million in the plant in Ploiesti over the years, turning it into an export base for the Cappy Pulpy brand.
The fast bottling line inaugurated in Timisoara on Friday has a capacity of 2 million 330 ml and 500 ml cans per day. It will create 13 jobs in addition to the 200 people already working at the plant.
The Timisoara plant currently bottles Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite, Schweppes, Nestea and Joy products.
(English version by Loredana Fratila-Cristescu)