KENYA – Equator Bottlers Limited, a subsidiary of Coca Cola Beverage Africa, has appointed Josephat Kilungu as the manufacturing manager.
Mr Kilungu holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in strategic Management from Kenyatta University as well as a Bachelors degree in Food Science and post-harvest Technology from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.
In his new position he is expected to drive the soft beverage manufacturing plant into new heights owed to his diverse experience in the beverage sector across different countries.
Mr Kilungu, who joined the beverage industry at Nairobi Bottlers Limited, since 2005, has served in different capacities including the Unit Manager before he was appointed as the Manufacturing Manager.
He also worked as the Operations Manager in Ethiopia Between 2012 and 2014 during which production grew 40% in 2012and 120% in 2013 as well as facilitated capability development across various levels.
During his tenure, he also played a central role towards accreditation of the plant on various international standards including ISO 9001, ISO 18001, Food Safety System Certification as well as KO compliance in addition to promoting accountability and enthusiasm.
Additionally, he was also involved in the successful mobilisation of the production teams to focus on key performance indicators subsequently resulting into great synergy and product availability.
Mr Kilungu also holds a Packaging Diploma from the Durban University of South Africa among other management course from Gordon Institute of Business studies, University of Pretoria South Africa.
Equator Bottlers Limited, established in 1966, is a franchise of Cola-Cola, operating bottling and distribution of Coca-Cola soft beverages serving the seven counties western parts of the country.
In 2015, the facility added a modern PET plastic bottle production line with an aim of expanding production capabilities as part of the global Coca-Cola Co.’s strategic growth which has seen it grow into 20,000 outlets serving an estimated 6.5 million consumers.
Equator Bottlers Limited was acquired by CCBA in 2017 and is now a subsidiary of the company producing a broad spectrum of Coca-Cola brands including the Dasani Water for the local and regional sale across Kenya and Uganda.
In the run-up to 2020, the Equator Bottlers and the Coca-Cola Company has engaged in a three-pronged campaign involving the expansion of their operating capacities, mass-market activation, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects.
