SLMG Beverages, Coca-Cola India’s largest regional bottler, has expanded its manufacturing capabilities with the installation of a high-speed KHS InnoPET TriBlock line at its Chhata facility. The project, completed in a record 40 days, supports the company’s growing footprint across Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
Nov., 2025: With a population exceeding 240 million, Uttar Pradesh is India’s most populous state and one of its most climatically challenging regions. During the peak summer months from March to July, temperatures can reach an intense 50°C, creating a surge in demand for beverages.
Coca-Cola India operates through a network of independent regional bottlers, the largest of which is SLMG Beverages. Formed through the consolidation of four bottlers led by members of the Ladhani family, the company has partnered with Coca-Cola for more than three decades, serving Uttar Pradesh and adjoining regions. Following the acquisition of an additional bottler, SLMG Beverages has recently secured the franchise rights for Bihar as well. This expansion positions the company to supply soft drinks to an estimated 350 million consumers in the future.
Among SLMG’s eight production facilities is the Chhata plant, home to six beverage lines. The newest of these was supplied and installed by KHS, featuring the InnoPET TriBlock, a modular system integrating a stretch blow moulder, roll-fed labeller and filler. The line processes up to 48,000 non-returnable PET bottles per hour, ranging from 250 mL to 2 L, with peak-season production prioritizing small, single-serve packs. The plant now fills approximately 15.4 million containers annually.
“In 2023, our output rose by almost 35% over the previous year, and in 2024 we again grew by 25%,” said Sriharsha Chilukuri, Senior General Manager of the Chhata facility. “We produce approximately 60% of our soft drinks in PET bottles on the new line.”
The partnership between KHS and SLMG Beverages spans several decades. “We’ve been procuring machines from KHS since we started bottling for Coca-Cola,” Chilukuri added. Recent investments include two Plasmax systems, which apply an ultra-thin glass coating inside PET bottles. This technology safeguards product quality by reducing oxygen ingress and preventing carbon dioxide loss, thereby enhancing taste and extending shelf life.
The installation of the InnoPET TriBlock marked the companies’ first full line project together. Key factors influencing the contract award included efficiency, advanced roll-fed hot-melt labelling technology and KHS’s commitment to rapid deployment ahead of the high-demand season, during which SLMG generates nearly 80% of its annual turnover. Remarkably, just 40 days elapsed from equipment delivery to production validation, an achievement that Chilukuri described as exceptional.
Much of the credit goes to the KHS team at its Ahmedabad manufacturing site, which supplied conveyors and palletizers and oversaw installation and commissioning. “During acceptance, the line ran for 10 hours without interruption,” said Dharmesh Baria, Project Manager for After Sales and Service at KHS. “This corresponds to a performance rate of 99.96%.”
Beyond technical capability, Chilukuri emphasized the strength of the relationship between the two companies. “Our partnership extends beyond the typical OEM–customer dynamic. We operate as equal business partners and as a unified team.” KHS’s strong local presence has been instrumental in this collaboration. “Their experts are always available, and we can rely on consistent, timely support.”
SLMG Beverages’ ambitions remain high. The company has invested nearly €400 million in plant engineering in recent years and has maintained annual growth rates of 20–25%. With its expanded regional footprint, SLMG is on track to surpass €1 billion in turnover by 2025, underscoring its trajectory as one of India’s most influential beverage manufacturers.
Source: SLMG Beverages / KHS Group | Image credits: Frank Reinhold
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