AUJAN Coca-Cola Beverages Company (ACCBC) unveiled plans for its newest bottling site, which is expected to be ready by 2018 in Iraq.

The new site will create jobs for more than 150 Iraqis and include manufacturing lines for juices and soft drinks, seeing an investment of up to SR250 million over the next 2 years.

The site will play a key role in supporting Aujan Coca-Cola Beverages Company’s operation in Iraq, enabling domestic supply for rising demand. The site will also supply to neighboring markets.

The new site will bring world class, state-of-the art technology capacity and capability to the Iraqi consumer market.

Aujan Coca-Cola Beverages Company licensed brands; Rani, Barbican and Vimto have leading positions within their respective categories in Iraq. Rani is the biggest juice, and Barbican is the biggest malt beverage in the country. Operations inside Iraq have continued to grow since inception back in 2003.

The announcement was made post ACCBC’s participation in Baghdad’s International Expo, October 21-30, 2017. Tolga Sezer, Chief Executive Officer of ACCBC, said: “The timing of the announcement could not be better. This is an opportunity for ACCBC to display its commitment to expand ACCBC’s growing supply chain footprint across the region.”

“We believe in our brands, and our strategy, designed to target the youth across the region. The site investment is another step in putting our strategy in action. Growing the Iraq market is a strong pillar in our development plans for the future,” Sezer added.

ACCBC is the authorized manufacturer and distributor of Rani and Barbican brands and the licensed manufacturer in the Middle East for Vimto. In 2014, ACCBC acquired a majority stake in the National Beverage Company S.A.L. (NBC), becoming the manufacturer and distributor of Coca-Cola, Pampa, and several other brands in Lebanon.

ACCBC along with Rani Refreshments (RR) - the global trademark owner of Rani and Barbican were established in 2012 following the successful joint venture between Coca-Cola Company and Aujan.

ACCBC has a manufacturing network of 4 sites in Dammam, Saudi Arabia; Dubai, UAE; Beirut, Lebanon; and Cairo, Egypt. — SG