Coca-Cola announces €26m investment in Ballina operations
THE Coca-Cola Company has announced an investment of €26 million in its Ballina operations.
The announcement was made today by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny with Muhtar Kent, chairman and chief executive officer with the Coca-Cola company.
The capital investment further strengthens the Company’s commitment to Ireland as the Ballina facility becomes the first production site for the company’s innovative Freestyle technology outside of the United States. An additional 25 new jobs will be created in Ballina over the next three years as part of this investment.
The patented Coca-Cola Freestyle technology is a touch-screen soda fountain that was first introduced by the company in the US in 2010. The dispenser features more than 165 different Coca-Cola beverage choices from across the company’s full product range, including a choice of lower-calorie and no-calorie options, as well as sports drinks and fruit-flavoured drinks.
More than 40,000 Coca-Cola Freestyle machines can already be found across the US, and in recent years has undergone extensive market testing with customers in parts of Europe.
The investment announced today will facilitate wider expansion of the Freestyle model into key European markets, with the demand from 10 countries expected to be met by the production team in Ballina. The team based in Ballina has been instrumental in developing the Coca-Cola Freestyle machines produced specifically for the European market.
Said Taoiseach Kenny: “The investment announced by Coca-Cola in their Ballina operations today is a significant vote of confidence by the company in Ireland and Mayo itself. Coca-Cola have been an important element of the local economy and significant employer in Mayo since 2000 and across Ireland for over six decades. Today’s announcement is a further vote of confidence in the western region by a major multinational company.”
The CEO of IDA Ireland, Martin Shanahan, said the announcement demonstrates 'real commitment' by Coca-Cola to its Mayo operations and is a strong endorsement of Ballina and the region as a suitable location for this type of manufacturing.