Coca-Cola Europacific Partners New Zealand (CCEP NZ) has acknowledged the decades-long history of Christchurch, which has been in operation for 50 years. Employees celebrated by enjoying a lengthy lunch at the site, which first opened as The Southern Bottling Company on the 11th of April 1973. They were joined by CCEP New Zealand's Managing Director, Chris Litchfield, and the Executive Leadership team. They were on the road for their annual roadshow to visit and update employees at all sites nationwide.
Employees enjoyed a speech from South Island Regional Sales Manager, Luke Gainsford, detailing the site's entire history, its employees' achievements, and the changes in product and technology, broken down decade-by-decade. Gainsford touched on one of the earliest lessons he learnt upon starting at the company.
"My Regional Sales Manager told me to eat the elephant in small chunks, so I'll do my best to take you through the highlights of each decade in Christchurch, from when it all began in the 70s to the world-class facility we enjoy today."
Gainsford also shared details of the origins of the Coca-Cola range and manufacturing in the 1970s, the time of big change and excess in the 1980s, as well as the rapid advances in technology in the 1990s when brick mobile phones, PCs and laptops started replacing pen and paper, both onsite and out in the field. He spoke of the Christchurch site's ownership change, redevelopment, and introduction of a new sales building in the 2000s.
One of the most significant events to affect the Christchurch location was the 2011 earthquake, which saw an investment of $15 million into building a new bottling plant in the region.
As well as acknowledgment of the shifts in range, production, manufacturing and technology the site has experienced, the 50-year celebration provided an excellent opportunity to recognise the people. The day honoured some of the Christchurch site's longest-standing employees, including Ian Ashton, who retired immediately after the party following a 42-year tenure. The current longest-standing Christchurch employees, including Ian, Gary Thompson, Tony Watson, Stew Dunn, Nicola Wigney and Paul Phillips, who have a combined tenure of 225 years, were all recognised.
Gainsford concluded his speech by acknowledging Christchurch's past and present employees, their families and customers. He said it had been part of fulfilling people's careers and journeys in the business.
"It has ensured we have contributed hugely to the community of Christchurch, and most importantly, it kept generations of Kiwis with our brands in their hands for the last 50 years, which will no doubt continue for many years."
