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EMさん
英日期末“Coca-Cola Celebrates 50 Years of Innovation in Japan”より
(聞くだけポーション)
The Coca-Cola Company this week celebrates its 50th anniversary in Japan, a market that has contributed significantly to the Company’s overall success over the past half century. Coca-Cola Japan’s growth - and its recognition as a Japanese corporate citizen, rooted in the local marketplace - is the result of successive generation of excellent managerial leadership, the dedication of employees, and the tireless efforts of bottling partners and affiliates.
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During the past half-century, the Coca-Cola system in Japan has pioneered many beverage industry innovations – from new products to cutting-edge vending machine technology – serving as a model for Coca-Cola operations around the world. Japan is absolutely critical to our system’s future growth. Not only because of the sheer size of this market, but also because of the constant stream of leadership and innovation that springs from this great nation. With a beverage portfolio of more than 60 brands, consisting of over 200 sparkling and still beverage products, the Company is the leading nonalcoholic beverage company in Japan and has a long history of product innovation.
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This month, the Company introduced coca-cola zero, a great tasting cola with zero calories – to the Japan Market. Our key customers, McDonald’s being one, are helping to sample over 5 million packages in June. Building on such core sparkling beverage business, the Company also began expanding its offerings to include a wide variety of still beverages. In 1975, the Company recognized the potential of ready-to-drink coffee and introduced Georgia Coffee, the number one ready-to-drink coffee in Japan. With 17 flavors, Georgia Coffee is the recognized leader in this key category. In 1983, the Company launched Aquarius, which has become the nation’s number-one-sports drink. In the 1990s, Sokenbicha, ready-to-drink tea, was introduced and is now the category leader in Japan.
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Innovation of vending machine is another factor which helped the growth of the Company in Japan. The Company and its bottling partners have long led the way in this area. We have introduced different types of vending machines. Out in the street, you will see hot and cold vending machines, those with cashless payment options and even those with networked vending systems. Today, Coca-Cola has more than one million vending machines that sell its beverages in convenient, fun and interactive ways to Japanese consumers.
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Now, let me comment of the franchise leadership of Coca Cola Japan. The company’s 50 years of success in Japan reflects the strength of the relationship with its 12 bottling partners, who are recognized for their advanced market development and execution capabilities. Over the years, the Coca-Cola system has taken significant actions to increase efficiency and invest in the business, including the consolidation of Coca-Cola West Japan, Kinki CCBC and Mikasa CCBC. Reflecting the importance of the bottling partnership and the significance of the Japanese market, the Company announced earlier today it was making a strategic investment in the Tokyo Coca-Cola Bottling Company by taking a 34% ownership stake in the Bottler through the purchase of newly-issued shares.
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