KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 25): Coca-Cola Bottlers (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd plans to acquire a 10-acre piece of land in Malaysia to grow its production output to cater for the region.

In a statement today, the soft drink manufacturer said the expansion plan will also accommodate further warehousing needs to complement its existing manufacturing facility in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan.

According to Coca-Cola, its Nilai plant already serves as the halal production hub for the Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei markets, while producing specialty products for some other Asean markets.

“We are optimistic about the future outlook of our business and the Malaysian economy," said Coca-Cola Bottling Investment Group for Singapore-Malaysia-Brunei chief executive officer Stephen James Lusk, in the statement.

"We intend to continue investing in this country, investing in the local workforce, investing in product and packaging and investing in local communities," he added.

The expansion, said Lusk, will also create more job and business opportunities for the local economy, as well as development.

Coca-Cola entered the Malaysian market 1936. Over the years, it has grown its portfolio in Malaysia to more than 20 products, including Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite A&W and Minute Maid Pulpy juice drinks.

According to Lusk, the group is the only beverage company that makes and sells zero calorie and zero sugar soft drinks in Malaysia.

"We will continue to innovate our beverage portfolio and serving sizes, including smaller packs, to provide more choices for our consumers,” he added.

Lusk shared that the group will continue to actively invest locally in communities on a variety of water stewardship, recycling, youth development and women entrepreneurship programmes.

"Spanning over a decade, we have invested millions behind a multitude of sustainability projects,” said Coca-Cola general manager for Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar, Antonio Del Rosario.