Beer Plan Deployed

The head of Heineken's Africa unit has said it expects it's Coca-Cola Co franchises in the region to double volumes by 2020 as they take advantage of the same demographics boosting beer. Siep Hiemstra said that hte brewer, which operates Coca-Cola bottlers in Central Africa, is testing new flavours and packaging sizes. The innovations mirror those of Heineken's brewing unit in Africa, which is using smaller bottle sizes and a widening portfolio to attract African consumers. "The dynamics we speak about in beer - a high GDP and people moving into the city - all these elements are not exclusive for Heineken. It is also what Coca-Cola depends on," Hiemstra said. "So when you bring beer and soft drinks together, it works."