Celebrating National Technology Day: HCCB’s Digital Transformation Journey

As a leading beverage manufacturer, HCCB has always been committed to refreshing the nation with beverages of the highest quality. From automation and robotics to data analytics and artificial intelligence, we have harnessed the power of technology to drive innovation, efficiency and growth in our manufacturing processes. 

As we celebrate National Technology Day 2023, we are proud to be part of India's manufacturing technology revolution over the years. We look forward to the future and remain steadfast in our commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technologies to bring the best possible products and experiences to our customers. 

Simplifying the beverage-making process

The journey that your favourite beverage takes before it reaches you is just as complex as it is intriguing. It involves various intricate procedures, from the manufacturing of the PET bottle to the beverage-making process, which needs to be executed with precision and accuracy. 

At HCCB, we take pride in ensuring that every step of the process is optimised for efficiency, quality, and consistency. One way we achieve this is through the implementation of innovative technologies such as the Ergo block technology. Ergo block has helped streamline the beverage-filling process and reduce the amount of water and electricity needed while also increasing production speed. But our pursuit of excellence does not stop there. 

Revolutionising manufacturing with digitally empowered factories

The FMCG industry is constantly evolving, and staying ahead of the curve requires a continuous commitment to innovation and improvement. That is why we invest heavily in cutting-edge technologies and digital systems that help us optimise our operations, enhance our products and deliver exceptional experiences to our customers. 

Our three digitally-enabled factories are an example of how we are leveraging technology to achieve our goals, but they represent a larger philosophy that informs everything we do at HCCB. 

Setting the benchmark with Sanand

Sanand was the first of our factories to fully embrace digitalisation. By integrating connectivity, traceability, interconnectivity, forecasting, and sustainable operations into our digital processes, Sanand has enabled us to achieve new levels of operational efficiency and quality control. It has thus set a benchmark for our other factories to push the boundaries of innovation and excellence. 

Overcoming seismic challenges at Siliguri

At HCCB, we embrace challenges and view them as opportunities to innovate and create something exceptional. The Siliguri factory presented unique challenges due to its location in a seismic zone but we took this as an opportunity to set innovation into action. By implementing advanced technology and leveraging a design developed to address the challenges of the location, we were able to establish complete digital connectivity throughout the factory. This allows for improved logistics, maximised efficiency, and reduced energy consumption. By optimising space and resources, we created India’s first vertical factory and also ensured that our operations are as sustainable as possible.

Taking a digital leap at Kanchenkanya

At our Kanchenkanya factory, we've implemented a cloud-based technology solution to enhance productivity and facilitate seamless connections between people, processes, and machines. The factory is powered by advanced digital transformation technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, and big data analytics. These technologies work together to make seamless communication possible, allowing us to make data-driven decisions that help optimise our processes even further. This has resulted in increased productivity and efficiency, as well as more accurate forecasting and quality control.

People for innovation

We recognize that innovation goes beyond simply adapting to new technologies. It is also about encouraging our people with a culture that empowers employees to explore ideas and push boundaries. 

A shining example of such innovation is our team at the Aranya factory. They set out with one simple goal—decrease complexity and establish consistency in PET bottle manufacturing. Previously, the conventional PET bottle manufacturing process was heavily dependent on undigitised mechanisms. The conventional blown bottle and net content processes had several challenges, and the new digitised processes achieved an unprecedented amount of efficiency and consistency, increasing productivity and optimising processes to aid data-driven decision-making.

Enhancing the retailer experience

In today's fast-paced world, we recognise the challenges that retailers face in managing their inventory and placing bulk orders efficiently. To simplify the retailer experience of placing orders, we have developed Coke Buddy—an app that puts the power of ordering at retailers' fingertips. Through this intuitive platform, retailers can avail of real-time tracking of orders and make smarter decisions about their inventory requirements through personalised app features. Coke Buddy is our way of revolutionising the way retailers interact with us and strengthing our collaboration. 

Pioneering environmental initiatives

Environmental sustainability lies at the core of the operations we undertake. In pursuit of such, we have implemented cutting-edge initiatives that revolutionise PET management and reverse logistics. We have planned to deploy Reverse Vending Machines (RVM) and Smart NFT Bins that would make for an easy and convenient way for consumers to responsibly dispose of PET bottles. Our goal is to then scale up to recycled PET (rPET), enabling us to achieve significant reductions in emissions, with the potential to save over 1 tonne of CO2e per tonne of 100% rPET. 

Ultimately, innovation has always been a driving force at HCCB. Our factories are a testament to our commitment to adapting to ever-evolving technological advancements. The future of manufacturing is digital, and as a leading beverage manufacturer in India, we are excited to be at the forefront of this exciting technological evolution.