Just before the Covid-19 lockdown started I had the opportunity to visit the Coca-cola factory on the outskirts of Bengaluru. The location is close to the town of Bidadi and the official name is Hindustan Coca - Cola Beverages Pvt. Ltd.(HCCB). Bidadi Factory.
This factory is a bottling plant where the drink is prepared from the syrup and then bottled in various sizes. The concentrated syrup is prepared in faraway Pune and transported to this location.
We observed and learned about various operations like glass bottle cleaning and manufacturing of plastic bottles from its raw material called a Preform. The preform looks like a test-tube with thread at one end for the bottle cap. There are different types, shapes, and sizes of a preform for the different bottles.
Hot air is blown through the preform which both melts and blows up the tube like a balloon which takes the shape of the mold it is placed in. This creates a soft-drink bottle.
After this the cold drink or soft drink is filled in the bottle. The drink is in warm condition initially.
Some space is left in the bottle which is filled with Nitrogen.
There are several liquid-level and quality checks performed.
The brand labels are wrapped around the bottle as per the drink followed by printing the date and the price.
Finally, the bottles are grouped and packaged together which is done automatically using machines and robots. The machines make lot of noise. So visitors are provided with earplugs which you can see me and my colleagues wearing the photo below.
Accessibility Features
Ramp Access.
Wheelchair-accessible Entrance.
Wheelchair-accessible Restroom/Toilet.
Wheelchair-accessible Seating.
Wheelchair-accessible Parking.
Overall, it was a very immersive and educative tour of the plant.
The factory also allows school and group trips.
