Ball claims demand for beverage containers in Southeast Asia will grow over the coming years and the announcement is part of its Drive for 10 growth strategy.
Opening mid-2015
Gihan Atapattu, president, Ball Asia Pacific, told FoodProductionDaily constructon is scheduled to begin this summer and the plant will be operational in mid-2015.
“The demand for beverage containers in Southeast Asia is expected to continue to grow significantly over the coming years and Ball has a long-term agreement with Coca-Cola Pinya Beverages, so the time is right as we bolster our presence in a high-potential market with a relatively small investment,” he said.
“Many national and international beverage brands are localizing production in Southeast Asia, so the demand for beverage containers will grow accordingly.
“The Myanmar plant will add capacity in Southeast Asia and will complement Ball’s existing Asian operations, which include four plants in China and a joint venture plant in Vietnam.”
Atapattu added its Drive for 10 growth strategy is Ball’s vision to grow its businesses and achieve long-term success.
It consists of five levels; maximizing value in its existing businesses; expanding its products and capabilities; aligning itself with the right customers and markets; broadening its geographic reach, and; leveraging its know-how and technological expertise to provide a competitive advantage.
Aluminium cans
“This is the first time Ball has entered the Myanmar market and we will be producing aluminum beverage cans,” he said.
“We’re excited to bring our packaging and global sustainability practices to Myanmar, and to bring economic value to the Yangon community. We will continue looking for similar opportunities that align with our Drive for 10 vision.
“Coca-Cola Pinya beverages is the brand of choice in this market because Coca-Cola is one of the world’s leading brands and a valued Ball customer.
“It is investing in local manufacturing, employing local people, engaging local suppliers and distributors, and supporting community investment programs so we are excited to align in these efforts with them.”
Coca-Cola opened its first bottling plant in Myanmar last year and became one of the first US companies to be awarded an investment permit under Myanmar’s Foreign Investment Law.
The inauguration of the Coca-Cola plant is part of the firm’s planned $200m investment over the next five years and it will create more than 22,000 jobs over the next five years.
As part of its growth and development opportunities for the people of Myanmar The Coca-Cola Foundation is working with Pact, a non-government organization, to implement Swan-Yi, a three-year program to empower nearly 25,000 Myanmar women focusing on financial literacy, entrepreneurship and business management.