Coca-Cola is closing its Bottling Investments Group (BIG) on June 30. This group managed Coca-Cola’s bottling operations worldwide, including India. Now, the company’s bottling operations will be overseen by an internal board led by Henrique Braun, Coca-Cola’s president of international development.
This change directly affects India, where Coca-Cola’s bottling company, Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages (HCCB), was controlled by BIG. Coca-Cola is considering selling a significant minority stake in HCCB to large Indian business groups before its initial public offering (IPO).
This move aims to simplify decision-making and strengthen capabilities across all markets. Coca-Cola India’s strategic shift follows recent transactions where it sold off some bottling operations to focus more on brand building and innovation. These changes are part of Coca-Cola’s broader plan to optimize its business strategy globally.
Coca-Cola has been reducing BIG’s footprint to focus more on brand building and market strategies. Earlier this year, HCCB sold some bottling operations in northern and eastern India, earning $293 million. HCCB now operates 16 factories in western and southern India.
HCCB reported a 40% increase in revenue to ₹12,840 crore for 2022-23 and a net profit of ₹809.32 crore, doubling the previous year’s profit. Coca-Cola’s global bottling operations include both listed and privately held companies, with the top five partners contributing 42% of its total volume in 2022.
