Coca-Cola Hbc Italia, Verona becomes production hub for the Olympics
The Nogara site celebrates half a century with 220 million invested in the last 15 years and another 50 million planned for the next four years
by Barbara Ganz
3' min read
Key points
3' min read
Coca-Cola HBC's Veneto factory - in Nogara, province of Verona - will be the production hub for beverages destined for the main venues of the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympics: Olympic villages, athletes' areas and public spaces. The Veneto production site will thus play a key role in supporting the Games. A contribution that - the company explains - is part of the long tradition of the Coca-Cola Company, which has supported the Olympic Movement since 1928, and has become the longest-lasting partner in the history of the Olympics.
The anniversary
.In Nogara, an open day for employees and families marked the celebration of 50 years of activity in the sign of growth. The numbers say that 220 million has been invested in the last 15 years, and another 50 million is planned for the next four years: the Veneto factory has reached 266 thousand square metres.
It was here, in 1975, that the first Coca-Cola can was produced in Italy, and today it is the main plant for Italy and the whole of Europe: it employs 429 direct employees, for an allied industry that reaches almost 3,000, and involves a hundred or so local companies, from small to medium and large.
The day was attended by Lorenzo Fontana, president of the Chamber of Deputies, Luca Zaia, president of the Veneto Region, Flavio Massimo Pasini, mayor of Nogara, Damiano Tommasi, mayor of Verona, and Giuseppe Riello, president of Confindustria Verona, as well as Italian and Group management with Naya Kalogeraki, chief operating officer Coca-Cola HBC, Miles Karemacher, general manager Coca-Cola HBC Italia, and Luca Santandrea, general manager Olympic and Paralympic Games Milano Cortina 2026 of Coca-Cola Italia.
Production
.1.2 billion containers including bottles, cans and kegs of the Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite, Kinley, Lurisia, Fuzetea and Powerade brands leave Nogara annually. There are 11 production lines, of which three for Pet, two for cans and one for glass. Work is in progress on a new aseptic line for non-carbonated products such as isotonic drinks and tea. These 50 years 'pay tribute to a history made up of skills, innovation and ties with the territory,' said Miles Karemacher, general manager of Coca-Cola HBC Italy: 'The country represents a fundamental pillar of the Group's growth strategies and will continue to be at the centre of our future investments, because here we see talent, energy and opportunities.
