Coca-Cola Bottler ThaiNamthip Opens First Coca-Cola Plant in Laos with US$30 Million Investment

- Chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company Muhtar Kent presides over opening of 'strategic plant that completes ASEAN presence'

- New Lao plant is Joint Venture between Thailand Coca-Cola bottler ThaiNamthip Limited and Lao firm PT Sole Co., Ltd.

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ThaiNamthip Limited, Coca-Cola Bottler in Thailand

Sep 11, 2015, 10:43 ET

BANGKOK, Sept. 11, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Lao Coca-Cola Bottling Co., Ltd., a joint venture between Coca-Cola bottler in Thailand ThaiNamthip Limited and Lao firm PT Sole Co., Ltd., recently inaugurated the first Coca-Cola bottling plant in the Lao People's Democratic Republic at a ceremony presided over by Mr. Muhtar Kent, Chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company.

(from left) Mr. Van Hoang Dau, Director of Lao Coca-Cola Bottling Co., Ltd.; H.E. Mr. Somsavat Lengsavad, Deputy Prime Minister of Lao People’s Democratic Republic; Mr. Muhtar Kent, Chairman and CEO, The Coca-Cola Company, andMr. Pornwut Sarasin, Chairman of Lao Coca-Cola Bottling Co., Ltd. and Chairman of ThaiNamthip Limited at the inauguration ceremony of the first Coca-Cola bottling plant in Lao PDR.

Mr. Pornwut Sarasin, Chairman of Lao Coca-Cola Bottling Co., Ltd. with two plant staff at the first Coca-Cola bottling plant in Lao PDR.

The plant, located in Saithani District of Vientiane province, will produce sparkling beverages for the Lao market, including Coca-Cola, Fanta, and Sprite with the possibility of adding still beverage production lines at a later date.

Mr. Pornwut Sarasin, Chairman of Lao Coca-Cola Bottling Co., Ltd. and Chairman of ThaiNamthip Limited, said, "The inauguration of the Lao plant marks another significant step in ThaiNamthip's regionalization as one of the region's most experienced beverage bottling and distribution businesses. We are committed to sharing within all AEC countries ThaiNamthip's long and deep expertise in the production and distribution of beverages. With more than US$30 million already invested in the Lao People's Democratic Republic, the Coca-Cola system has, in addition to the plant, also established three distribution centres and is serving over 4,300 retailers every week. We expect the Coca-Cola system to invest a further US$10 million in the next two years."

He said that the Lao plant will also complement Coca-Cola's supply chain in northeastern Thailand with the supply of some beverages from the Lao plant that will further enhance customer service levels in northeastern Thailand.

Mr. Muhtar Kent, said, "The inauguration of local manufacturing in Laos completes the Coca-Cola system's presence in ASEAN. With the establishment of this plant, our business now proudly manufactures and distributes beverages locally in each of the 10 ASEAN member countries, providing tangible economic benefit to the communities we serve. We are confident that Southeast Asia will continue to be one of the most vibrant regions in the world for growth, having achieved sustained economic growth of around 5 percent annually, and we look forward to continuing to invest throughout the region alongside our local bottling partners."

Mr. Van Hoang Dau, Directo r of Lao Coca-Cola Bottling Co., Ltd. and Chairman of PT Sole Co., Ltd., said, "In addition to our goal to serve the economic development of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, we are committed to partnerships with stakeholders to invest and deliver on Coca-Cola's global sustainability commitments. We have been working with the Population and Community Development Association and the National University of Laos to produce rain water storage jars for villagers. Already, some 500 units of 2,000 liter jars have been built, benefitting 1,000 villagers in two villages in Saithani."

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SOURCE ThaiNamthip Limited, Coca-Cola Bottler in Thailand