The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigerian Bottling Company Limited

  • NBC unveils plans to boost production

    Nigerian Bottling Company Limited (NBC), a member of Coca-Cola Hellenic Group and bottler for non-alcoholic beverage giant Coca-Cola, has expressed commitment and readiness to achieve its projected business plan for 2019, as it recently disclosed that the company would be making huge investments to boost its production capacity across various operations this year.

    The Managing Director of NBC Ltd, Mr. George Polymenakos, recently disclosed this during an interview with journalists. He noted that though the Nigerian economy was experiencing slow growth, the company is optimistic that it would record good business performance this year, having laid a solid foundation with the enhancement of its portfolio, the bolstering of necessary infrastructure as well as the renewed commitment of its employees to deliver on projection.

    Polymenakos stated that the company was optimistic that it will reap the returns on its huge investments of over 500 million Euros, directed at beefing up operations over the last four years. He explained that the company was now equipped with the right infrastructure to meet the needs of its consumers while also creating value for the shareholders.

    “Over the last four years, we have steadily increased the number and capacity of our production lines. The Nigerian Bottling Company’s business transformation and optimisation plan which commenced in 2015, led to NBC bringing into Nigeria, investment of over five hundred million Euros (500M Euro) for the expansion and extensive upgrade of our manufacturing plants in Asejire, Ikeja, Abuja, Owerri, Challawa, Maiduguri, Port Harcourt and Benin, with the resultant increase in our total production capacity. In line with our ongoing accelerated business plan, we will continue to invest heavily in capital expenditure leading up to 2020, to ensure that we are well positioned to deliver operational excellence across the value chain,” he said.

    Polymenakos said the company was optimistic that NBC would continue to witness growth regardless of the slow growth witnessed in the economy, adding that the Nigerian economy offers big prospects for improvement and development and that NBC, with over 67 years of operations in Nigeria, has garnered a wealth of experience in meeting consumer needs and growing a successful business in the country

    He said, “We will never stop investing in Nigeria. Even though the last three years were difficult for the country’s economy, NBC did not hold back from implementing its investment plans for the Nigeria business. Between 2016 and 2018, we have invested in excess of 100million Euros and these numbers are well documented.”

     

  • NBC converts Enugu Plant to logistics, distribution hub

    Nigerian Bottling Company Limited (NBC), the non-alcoholic beverage manufacturing giant and a member of the Coca-Cola Hellenic Group, has transformed its Enugu Plant into a hub for material handling and logistics for the region.

    According to the company, the decision to transform the Enugu Plant from a production facility to a logistics and distribution hub was largely informed by the desire to deliver better value to its esteemed consumers and trade partners not only in Enugu State but in the entire South-East region.

    The Acting Director, Public Affairs & Communications, Mr. Ekuma Eze disclosed that the development is in line with the holistic strategy to reposition the company’s operation for better efficiency and accelerate the business transformation plan.

    Eze said, ‘’The repurposing of some NBC facilities across Nigeria, Enugu inclusive, is in line with our sustainable business strategy with the overarching goal of improving efficiency and boosting production capacity to meet the ever growing demand of our discerning consumers. While production activities have stopped at the Enugu facility, the company would continue to carry out logistics and commercial operations from the location’’

    He stated that the company’s business transformation and optimisation plan which commenced in 2015 involves huge investments worth over five hundred million Euros (Euro 500m) for the massive expansion and upgrade of some key plants including Asejire, Ikeja, Abuja, Owerri, Challawa, Maiduguri, Port Harcourt, and Benin resulting in increased production capacity, hence, the need to transform some other plants including Ilorin, Jos, Kaduna and most recently Enugu to handle commercial and logistics activities.

    Speaking on the employees whose roles were rendered redundant by the development, Eze said ‘’As a result of business optimisation, some roles became redundant. However, the whole process was conducted with utmost respect and consideration for our employees and engagement with the Unions. The company provided robust and generous severance packages way above statutory requirements and industry average’’.

    Reaffirming the commitment of the company, Eze said ‘’our confidence in the Nigerian market is underscored by the huge investment we have made in our operations in the last four years which has seen an inflow of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in excess of Euros 500m. Today, we are better positioned to refresh our consumers in Nigeria with our eight world-class manufacturing plants, mega distribution centres and enhanced commercial and logistics capability across Nigeria. We are confident that these investments and re-engineering of our operations will bring mutual benefit to the economy, our business, employees and our communities. With operations in Nigeria for over 67 years and thousands of Nigerians in direct employment, NBC remains committed to Nigeria’s economic prosperity and its people.’’

  • 21 years after, NBC renovates Enugu school

    The Nigerian Bottling Company Limited (NBC) recently renovated a block of four classrooms it gave to Ngwo-Uno Secondary School in Udi Local Government, Enugu State 21 years ago.

    Inaugurating the rehabilitated building last week, the Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo praised NBC for the worthy initiative, especially as it complements government’s efforts.

    “This NBC project complements an on-going initiative of the state government on the extensive renovation of school buildings and the construction of new structures in schools at all levels in the state. In addition, the state government is providing instructional materials and other necessary equipment to the schools. It is refreshing to see the commitment from private organisations to positively impact lives and living standards in their local communities” she said.

    She urged other private sector organisations as well as individuals to emulate the NBC and make their own contributions towards providing a better learning environment for children.

    Speaking on behalf of the NBC, the Country Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, Mr Ekuma Eze, said the NBC embarked on the project because it was identified as an impactful way to support development in one of its host communities.

    Also speaking at the ceremony, the Chairman, Post Primary Schools Management Board, Nestor Ezeme assured the NBC that the board would ensure the facility remains conducive for learning.

    “Now that the Nigerian Bottling Company has provided us with this block of classrooms, we would further equip it with the computers initially promised by the state government,” he said.

    Thanking NBC for the kind gesture, Igwe Basil Ugwuozor Ozor said it would have far reaching positive impact on the children of the community.

  • NBC youth initiative tackles unemployment

    NBC youth initiative tackles unemployment

    The Nigerian Bottling Company Limited (NBC), bottlers of Coca-Cola products, has launched an initiative ‘Youth Empowered’ to imbue young people with skills to make them employable.

    At the launch last Thursday at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island Lagos, students were told they would learn project management, time management, business planning, negotiation skills and others during both face-to-face and online training workshops.

    The three-day face-to-face workshops in Lagos (October 17-19), Port Harcourt (November 8-10) and Kano (November 15-17) would also expose the 18-30 year old participants to financial literacy, sales skills, communication, networking and interaction, and personal development.

    Managing Director, NBC Limited, George Polymenakos, said the initiative was inspired by the need to support government to tackle unemployment by bridging skill gaps noticeable in modern day graduates.

    “NBC acknowledges the Nigerian youth as the leaders of tomorrow and is happy to empower and position them for the huge leadership task ahead of them. We are proud to be identified with the Nigerian youth and will continue to invest in them to make positive contributions to the development of their communities and Nigeria at large,” he said.

    Ultimately, he said the company hopes to train 100,000 young men and women.

    He said “By 2020, we project to support through training and mentorship, over 100,000 young unemployed people between the ages of 18 and 30 to acquire invaluable life skills, business skills and long-lasting networks that can assure their transition to meaningful employment.

    “These skills enhancement training program focuses on two broad modules, Life Skills and Business Skills. The Life Skills Training Workshop is designed to help the youth discover themselves, understand their strengths and developmental opportunities, as well as providing a platform for meaningful interaction with business leaders and mentors.”

    Legal, Public Affairs and Communications Director, Sade Morgan, said by the time they are done with the training and mentoring programme, the participants would be a delight to employers.

    “The participating youths would have firsthand experience that would serve as a launch pad to start on the right foot, with guidance from professionals and experienced business mentors,” she said.

    In her speech, Founder, Rise Network, Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji praised the firm for the initiative, urging other companies to fund similar programmes instead of reality shows.

    She urged the firm to include technical and vocational skills training in the programme.

    NBC Youth Empowered is part of the one Coca-Cola Hellenic project designed to support over 500,000 young unemployed people between the ages of 18-30 by 2020, to build life and business skills and long-lasting networks that would translate to meaningful employment and self-sufficiency. NBC and its parent company, Coca-Cola Hellenic have established themselves as a reference point for world class youth development and empowerment initiatives.