Swire Coca-Cola Turns to Robots to Quench China Market Thirst

Swire Coca-Cola is tackling the demanding China market by investing in robotics to meet the growing thirst for variety among consumers. The company has just begun using a robotic system for order picking at its factory in Zhengzhou, capital of central China's Henan province.

The $134.3 million investment will help Swire Coca-Cola adapt to shifting consumer habits and emerging sales channels in China, according to Peter Mills, chief supply chain officer.

The facility has automated shrink-wrapped order picking, a process that was previously reliant on manual labor in markets where it was still used.