LISBURN-headquartered Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company (HBC) has appointed Davide Franzetti as the new general manager of its island of Ireland operations.
He replaces Miles Karemacher, who is moving to the role of general manager at Coca-Cola HBC Italy.
Mr Franzetti has worked for Coca-Cola HBC Italy since 2018, holding various roles including modern trade director and most recently sales director.
He will lead the beverage business, which is the bottling partner to The Coca-Cola Company for the island of Ireland and distributes a 24/7 beverage portfolio including locally-owned ranges Deep RiverRock and Fruice.
Coca-Cola HBC also distributes premium spirit brands for The Campari Group and Edrington, and coffee brands Costa and Caffé Vergnano.
His tenure as general manager comes following investment in a new £17 million canning line at Coca-Cola HBC’s production facility in Lisburn, announced earlier this year.
Mr Franzetti’s role will also encompass leading the transition to NetZero by 2040 and working with customers and other industry partners as the sector prepares for the roll-out of the deposit return scheme (DRS), which due to go live in the Republic next February.
Speaking on his first day in post, he said: “Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland has a long and rich history going back over 80 years and has a well-established reputation for strong portfolio development, a deep commitment to sustainability and sustained investment in its people and the communities it serves.
“My goal is to further strengthen our position as the leading 24/7 beverage partner to our customers, to listen to their needs and to bring greater value to our relationships.
“I look forward to playing my part in the development of local talent which contributes so strongly to the Coca-Cola System; to delivering the £17m investment into our Knockmore Hill production facility; and to supporting the delivery of a well-functioning and efficient deposit return scheme, the biggest change to waste collection in Ireland in a generation.”
