Robinson and McGuinness open £93million Coca-Cola Plant

First Minister, the Rt. Hon. Peter D. Robinson MLA and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MP, MLA, officially opened the new £93million Coca-Cola HBC Northern Ireland manufacturing plant in Lisburn today.

Coca-Cola HBC Northern Ireland is part of the Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company, the world’s largest producer of Coca-Cola branded beverages with a presence in 28 countries, employing 45,000 people and serving 560 million consumers. In 2005, Invest Northern Ireland announced that it had secured the project with an offer of support totalling £6.75million.

First Minister Peter Robinson said: "In choosing to locate this £93million facility in Northern Ireland, Coca-Cola is making clear its long term commitment to this region. Invest Northern Ireland negotiated for two years to secure this multi-million pound project which has safeguarded almost 400 jobs. This site will now demonstrate internationally the strength of the local food and drink sector and our world class manufacturing capabilities."

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said: "As Coca-Cola’s all-Ireland manufacturing and bottling plant, this state of the art facility now employs in the region of 600 people in a key industry sector, across a range of skilled roles. With the relocation of key operations now complete, all Coca-Cola products sold in Ireland will be made here in Lisburn, a fact which can only continue to deliver long term economic benefits."

Doros Constantiou, CEO of Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company said: "The Knockmore Hill facility combines technical innovation, efficiency and environmental sensitivity in a modern comfortable workplace. Its location was chosen because of the established production and operations capabilities in the area, a solid infrastructure and the strong support received from Invest Northern Ireland."

Speaking at the event, Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster said: "This facility will deliver a wide range of benefits for the local economy, including sustained employment, adding value to the drinks manufacturing sector and investment in green energy and tourism. Coca-Cola has embraced a green energy ethos and installed a combined heat and power plant on site. Their visitor centre, due to open later this year, will also bring benefits to tourism and the educational sector."

Notes to editors:

1. In 2008 the Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company completed the construction of the bottling facility on a 45 acre site at Knockmore Hill, West Lisburn. The £93.5million project was supported by Invest NI and safeguarded 381 existing production jobs and created a further 71 new jobs. Along with the sales and administration personnel also involved, over 600 people are now employed at the plant at Knockmore Hill.
2. Coca-Cola Hellenic is the largest soft drinks manufacturers in the island of Ireland with an estimated 55% market share and the new facility manufactures all Coca-Cola products for Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
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