Coca-Cola's Top Indian Bottler SLMG Unveils 1 Billion USD Expansion Plan

Coca-Cola’s largest independent bottling unit, SLMG Beverages Pvt Ltd, has announced a 1 billion USD investment plan to develop new production sites. These sites will cater to the Uttar Pradesh and Bihar markets by 2030. The Lucknow-based firm under the Ladhani Group continues its vital Coca-Cola Indian strategy by enhancing its bottling operations to fulfill growing demand.

According to Joint Managing Director Paritosh Ladhani the company spent more than 1.5 billion USD in bottling operations over two decades that led to this expansive growth initiative. The rapidly expanding company operates eight production facilities. It is also constructing its ninth plant in Buxar, Bihar, to enhance its capacity and logistical capabilities. SLMG extended its operations by purchasing Coca-Cola's Bihar bottling sector to join its existing market presence in Uttar Pradesh. The beverage giant Coca-Cola India is implementing a strategy of passing bottling operations to local partners to concentrate on product development while benefiting from their market penetration know-how.

The Ladhani Group is expanding its business operations by spending Rs 4,000 crore to enter the hospitality market. Since 2009 the hotel business became part of the group's operations and they now develop Taj Vivanta hotels in Haridwar and Ayodhya. SLMG intends to launch The Four Seasons in Agra and create multiple Oberoi Nature properties. Ladhani stated that over the following five years the company plans to expand its hospitality ventures with funds amounting to Rs 4,000 crore to Rs 5,000 crore.

SLMG dedicates its operations between beverages and hospitality as a means to maximize profits from India's growing economy. The beverage segment of the company generates almost 24% of Coca-Cola's Indian market volume and aims to reach high positions among Coca-Cola bottlers worldwide while its hospitality units target India's growing tourist sector. SLMG continues to invest with certainty in India's economic expansion thus creating intense market competition for both beverage and hospitality sectors.