In November 2022 and January 2023, Swire Coca-Cola completed the acquisition of Coca-Cola subsidiaries with bottling businesses in Cambodia and Vietnam respectively. The transactions are Swire Coca-Cola's first investments in South East Asia and mark a historic milestone for Swire Coca-Cola on its expansion into this dynamic and vibrant region. The immense growth potential reflects Swire Coca-Cola’s vision to expand its footprint across South East Asia.
With the completion of the deals, Swire Coca-Cola owns and operates Coca-Cola Beverages Vietnam Limited and Cambodia Beverage Company Limited, encompassing three bottling plants and 18 production lines in Vietnam and one bottling plant with four production lines in Cambodia. With young demographics, robust urbanisation, and pre-pandemic GDP growth of over 7% per year, Vietnam and Cambodia present a tremendous growth opportunity for Swire Coca-Cola. Its franchise population will expand by 15% to about 880 million people.
Upon completion of these acquisitions, Swire Coca-Cola welcomed around 4,400 new employees to its thriving team. Swire Coca-Cola’s representatives and local staff were gathered at the welcoming ceremonies to celebrate this exciting moment for the company.
"As our first foray into South East Asia, we are thrilled to work alongside our new colleagues and are excited by the significant opportunities arising from the new region. We feel very positive about the future growth potential of Swire Coca-Cola in South East Asia," said Patrick Healy, Chairman of Swire Coca-Cola.
"We are delighted to have completed the acquisitions of the Coca-Cola bottling business in Vietnam and Cambodia. Leveraging our proven strengths in commercial capabilities, marketing, supply chain, customer service and digitalisation in our existing operating regions, combined with the strength and local expertise of our new colleagues, we will be able to continue effectively serving the needs of our customers and consumers in Vietnam and Cambodia, and contribute positively to the local communities," said Karen So, Managing Director of Swire Coca-Cola.
