ACCBC to invest US $500m in beverage sector

At Gulfood 2015, Aujan Coca-Cola Beverages Company revealed that it will invest US $500 million in the beverage industry in the next three years.

The cash injection will include a series of capacity improvements, innovations to packaging and consumer occasions, as well as IT upgrades.

Nicolaas Nusmeier, chief executive officer ACCBC said: “Robust expansion plans will enable ACCBC to realise the vision of its shareholders across the Middle East and North Africa.

“We already have a portfolio of strong brands, and an excellent track record as a regional beverage operator. Major investments in capacity, geographical coverage, and brand development will allow us to capitalise on the growth potential for the beverage industry in the MENA region.

“Despite political and economic disruption over the past few years, the regional beverage market has continued to grow, and we expect this to continue. For ACCBC, an increasingly youthful population across MENA together with opportunities for new categories and fresh consumer-focused innovations mean significant growth prospects.

“ACCBC is putting in place a strategy to become one of the biggest beverage operators in the region, growing from a company within a single category and a limited geography into a total beverage, multi-country, powerhouse.”

In 2014, ACCBC delivered double-digit volume growth and completed the acquisition of a majority stake in the National Beverage Company S.A.L (NBC), the manufacturer and distributor of Coca-Cola in Lebanon.

In addition to this, ACCBC last year confirmed plans to open a factory in Egypt to supply ACCBC’s brands to the Egyptian market, with expansion potential across Africa.

In Algeria, volume of ACCBC’s flagship brand Rani, has grown more than 300% in the last four years.

Aujan Coca-Cola Beverages Company (ACCBC) is the authorised manufacturer and distributor of Rani and Barbican brands and the licensed manufacturer in the Middle East for Vimto.