The expanded site in Queensland is capable of producing more than 90 million unit cases of drinks for domestic and export markets. It produces a range of sparkling and still beverages, dairy drinks, juices, teas and alcohol.
The site is the only bottling and distribution shape for Coke’s iconic contour glass bottles. It will also take on production of all of Amatil’s Australian dairy range, such as Barista Brothers drinks; and will continue to export Barista Brothers and Powerade to New Zealand.
The expanded facility includes a state-of-the-art 30,000-square metre distribution centre, with capacity for 45,000 pallets. Coca-Cola Amatil says the new distribution centre brings the advantages of lower operating costs, reduced materials handling, and fewer local truck movements.
Coca-Cola Amatil group managing director Alison Watkins said the Richlands site had been chosen for expansion because it offered the strongest combination of road and port access, efficiency in production, access to east-coast markets and room to grow.
“The Richlands site represents a substantial increase in Coca-Cola Amatil’s Australian Beverages bottling capacity, following recent encouraging signs in revenue and volume sales,” says a statement from Coca-Cola Amatil.
“The site also includes the latest processing technology - a SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM) system.
“As a single integrated processing system, it increases visibility of operations and better matches supply with demand. A new glass production line at the site has already been commissioned, with expanded dairy capability to come online by Q2 2019.”
Last year Coca-Cola announced a remodelling of its Australian supply chain, with a greater focus on technology and automation. The company announced its intention to increase production in Queensland with extra investment at the Richlands site, while announcing the closure of its South Australian manufacturing facilities, principally at Thebarton, in 2019.
You can watch the Richlands expansion take shape in the time lapse below.