CANADA – Coca-Cola Canada Bottling Ltd has announced that it has invested US$14.9 million (CAD 20 million) to upgrade production line capabilities at the Brampton plant to support mini bottle production.
According to the company, the investment will initially create three new jobs with the potential to provide more employment opportunities in the future.
It will also allow Coca-Cola Canada to offer four of its best-known brands including Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Diet Coke and Sprite in a compact and resealable 250ml ‘mini bottle’.
The mini bottles are a result of one-year innovation, offering consumers more convenient and broader product choices.
The company said that following a year-long innovation, it will be introducing more than 20 new beverages across its portfolio including low- and no-calorie drinks, bold flavours and soda water beverages.
“Mini bottle is one of the most exciting innovations we’ve seen in packaging in a long time!
We know that people want more drink options and mini bottle is just one way that we’re meeting that desire,” said Darlene Nicosia, President of Coca-Cola Ltd.
“And it’s not just smaller package sizes, we’re also working to bring more low- and no-calorie drinks to the market to help Canadians choose the package size and sugar content that makes sense for them.”
Said to be the first of its kind in North America, the mini bottle offers a small-sized beverage option and uses an innovative coating called FreshSafe, which increases shelf life by up to four months.
It is made of 100% recyclable plastic, thus addressing the rising concerns around plastic packaging and their implications on the environment.
The mini bottle will be available in two packages nationwide, a 250 mL single serving bottle and an eight-pack of 300 mL bottles.
“We are so proud that one of our first announcements as an independent bottling company is that we have invested back in our Brampton facility,” said Todd Parsons, President and CEO of Coca-Cola Canada Bottling Ltd.
“Having a local spirit and supporting our communities is very important to us and our aim is to grow our capabilities in Canada, which will in turn, grow jobs.”
The investment follows the announcement made by The Coca-Cola Company in June last year, to invest US$85 million to build a new plant in Peterborough, Ontario to support production of fairlife ultrafiltered milk.
The facility which will provide capabilities in production of the lactose free milk is expected to begin operations in spring 2020.
