Coca-Cola India & South West Asia business unit realigns operating structure

NEW DELHI: Beverage maker Coca-Cola on Thursday announced a realignment of operations of its India & South West Asia business, a move that underlines the Atlanta-based beverage giant’s focus on India as a long-term strategic growth market. The announcements are in line with the maker of Sprite fizzy drink and Kinely water announcing investments of US $5 billion in India by 2020.

Starting October 1 this year, Coca-Cola India and South West Asia business unit, comprising key markets including India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Maldives, is being segregated into two operating regions: India region and South West Asia (SWA) constituting of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives. The SWA region will also include the juice business. Venkatesh Kini, currently VP -- marketing, global juice has been named senior VP, India region.

Neeraj Garg, currently VP, franchise leadership to company owned bottling operations has been given charge of the SWA region and juice business. Both will report to Atul Singh, president, Coca-Cola India and South West Asia. “India’s role is critical to the company achieving its 2020 Vision,” Singh said in a statement. The moves to name Kini and Garg also pave the way for succession to Singh, who is expected to move into a global role after 12-18 months.

Coca-Cola has been growing for the last 24 quarters and India market is now among the US firm’s top seven markets.