Business model based on sustainable growth

MAJOR INVESTORS WHO RUN SUSTAINABLE BUSINESSES PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES – THEY INVEST IN PRODUCTION EXPANSION AND PROCESS OPTIMISATION, DIRECTLY CREATE JOBS, AND SUPPORT ADDITIONAL EMPLOYMENT ACROSS THE ENTIRE VALUE CHAIN, AND ENGAGE LOCAL SUPPLIERS THUS DEMONSTRATING A STRONG COMMITMENT TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL ECONOMY. COCA-COLA HBC SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO STRATEGICALLY TAKES ON SUCH A ROLE – AS PART OF THE COCA-COLA SYSTEM, TOGETHER WITH BAMBI, IT PRESENTS THE FINDINGS OF THE 2023 SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDY, WHICH SHOWS THAT EUR 633 MILLION IN ADDED VALUE WAS GENERATED I.E. 0.9% OF SERBIA’S GDP. THE SUSTAINABILITY REPORT WAS ALSO PUBLISHED RECENTLY OUTLINING CLEAR PLANS FOR ACHIEVING NET ZERO EMISSIONS BY 2040. SAŠA MARKOVIĆ, GENERAL MANAGER, IN HIS INTERVIEW WITH CORD MAGAZINE STRESSES THAT TRANSPARENCY IN REPORTING AND A STRONG FOCUS ON ESG STANDARDS BRING ADDED VALUE TO THE OPERATION OF THE COMPANY IN SERBIA. 

The results of the Socio-Economic Impact Study of the Coca-Cola System and Bambi show that your operations support other market participants. In which aspects does this support take place?

The Study quantifies our contribution not only through key indicators, but also through concrete actions by which we provide other participants in the value chain with a solid foundation for their continued growth. The effects of our business are traditionally most visible in the retail sector and the hospitality industry, where EUR 166 million in added value was generated in 2023. Coca-Cola HBC Serbia today cooperates with around 37.000 customers which is based not only on the volume of transactions, but also on exchanging experiences and improving mutual cooperation. Furthermore, we are very proud of our ability to create professional development opportunities for our talents, which is our utmost priority and one of the reasons that we have been voted for years as one of the most attractive employers in Serbia across multiple generations. The Study shows that in 2023, we supported 22.600 jobs across the entire value chain.

Your operations in 2024 were marked by a strong investment cycle worth around EUR 36 million. Which areas of improvement are you focusing on? 

Our investments were directed toward infrastructure and process optimisation, in addition to introducing digital technologies into our daily operations. After major investments in our bottling plants in Surdulica and Neresnica, we continued to upgrade our capacities in Belgrade by expanding our storage facilities and enhancing production.