Coca-Cola Amatil (CCA) is one of the largest Coca-Cola manufacturer and distributor in the Asia-Pacific region.

CCA produces various ranges of beverage of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Well-known brands consists of: Coca-Cola; Fanta, Sprite, Pump, Powerade, Mount Franklin and Jim Beam (David, CCA, 2011) Coca-Cola proudly owns 4 of the worlds top 5 non-alcoholic sparkling beverage brands (David, CCA 2011). The distribution center in Mentone was built in June 2004. Within a few years in its short history, this gigantic distribution center had received awards for construction and materials handling benchmark for warehousing (David, CCA, 2011). According to David (CCA, 2011) consumers drink 1.6 billion servings of drinks on a daily basis. The organizations mission is to become the supplier of choice every time in each category in which Coca Cola operates, this reputable company always strives to find a better way doing things and thereby improving their efficiency and effectiveness to maintain their global leadership position. They put customers satisfactions ahead of everything else. Through years of operation and experience successful brands have been developed and maintained by the hard work of its employees. Mainly through quality performance, logistic efficiency and most importantly superior customer service. (David, CCA, 2011). Coca Cola Amatil warehouse distribution system is built by using the latest swisslog hardware and software. Basically, Swisslog enables the whole distribution center to achieve high degree of automation and mechanization. Efficient goods receiving, high-density stock storage and rapid shipping all happen at the same time after the implementation of swisslog. For example, when a truck delivers pallets of beverages from Moorabbin factory to Mentone Distribution center, there is no requirement of staff other than the truck driver for unloading the whole truck of goods to the warehouse. It relies on the automation system, as the truck trailer roller belt systems connects to and syncs with the roller belt system of the warehouse, and goods are automatically counted the delivered to each specific coded location that the system wants them to be using the barcode scanner to scan the barcode of the entire pallets. The whole receiving and put-away procedure is done by the brilliant backbone of transportation that is based on a monorail, an automated guided vehicle or a unit load conveyor system depending on the transport capacity that is required to link all the warehouse areas together. Moreover, any storage areas can be automatically replenished by the the powerful mechanization and the Swisslog software incorporated in the supply chain at the warehouse. Full pallets can be transported directly from the automated warehouse to the shipping area. Staging in automated storage for sequenced route loads is possible in order to optimize outbound transport routes. Automatic loading docks for route and bulk loads are possible options. If there are any damaged pallets and goods, they will be taken to a place immediately where they can get fixed. It is paramount not using any damaged pallets, due to the safety of workers and costly pieces of equipment that may get damaged.As the warehouse relies heavily on the mechanization, a significant disadvantage is power failure. If, ever there comes such an emergency there are stand by systems including

invertors etc.CCA has built a good relationship with local electricity supplier, which is very helpful in minimizing the time of power cut-offs and getting advance warnings in case of eventualities. They also undertake preventive maintenance and an experienced maintenance team is ever present at the location in order to keep the entire system operational at all times as it is are requirement of the distribution center in order to be efficient and increase customer satisfaction. According to CCA staff, the warehouse always keeps storage that can cover up to 2 weeks of customer orders. In the mean time, they can also get goods from interstate DC's to make up for any shortage. Like most buisnesses they also have peak periods like Summers or Christmas break etc for which they need to prepare in advance so during these times stocks are stored before the demand picks up in order to account for the surge in demand during these peak periods. Advantages of automations and mechanizations in the Distribution Centre.

Optimal space utilization through high storage density automated warehouse Reduced lead-time to fulfill customer demand Improved accuracy in picking Reduced stock damage Pallet load sequencing to optimize Outbound transport routes are optimised Less Opportunity for manual handling.
The only needed human interventions are in the picking bays on the warehouse. CCA has tied up with K&S Logistics for Third party transportation, and K&S maintains a fleet of truck dedicated to CCA and 2 employees at the distribution centre to co-ordinate all activities and liase with drivers. Mainly acting as a shuttle in between the production plant and Warehouse and between smaller regional warehouses. Secondly they have tied up with CHEP Pallets, which provides a valuable service to CCA and over 300,000 customers around the world. They provide durable and innovative pallets that enable a reduction in product damage and also allow our customers like CCA to engage in an environmentally sustainable business practice, which in turn save CCA time, money, and hassle, and back it all up with superior technology. Wherein the pallets used by CCA are complete responsibility of CHEP. The pallets used are reusable and CHEP picks the pallets from the customers end after CCA delivers the product there.

Area for improvement

Employee Education
One of CCAs main values is to keep employees working with safety, engagement and innovation. Therefore, education for the staff is very important and should be in a long term. In terms of

effective and efficient working, the employees are not only with the professional knowledge, but also need a delighted working environment. The training provided by CCA should focus on employees capability for individual development and team cooperation.

Packaging production
The only negative aspect about the entire supply chain was not at the warehouse but at the manufacturing end. They haven't implemented automatic blowing, filling and capping lines yet and as a result there is a lot of wastage as empty plastic bottles need to be carried from VISY PET plant located near the warehouse (David, CCA, 2011). The technology used is outdated which hurts the efficiency of the complete plant. The technology for automatic blowing, filling, capping and packing is widely used around the world including least developed African countries have completely automated KRONES, SIPA or SIDEL lines so its a thing CCA should strive to implement at the earliest. Wherein they can procure PET Preforms and than blow them into bottles at the factory. This in turn would decrease the transportation cost for raw materials and the storage cost as we just need to store PET preforms instead of PET bottles (PET Preformed are blown into any shape of the bottle required different weight categories are available for different SKU's i.e., different volume of bottles)

Material reduction
The impacts of usage of water and light weighting are the important concerned issues. The company optimizes packaging to achieve resource efficiency and reduce environmental impact without compromising product quality and safety. (CCA, packaging covenant, 2011) That is to say, in terms of material reduction, the firm would focus on the improvement of technology not only to achieve their goal, but also a response to the society. References David , Coca Cola Amatil staff, presentation to RMIT student, 19th August 2011, Mentone, CCA Distribution Centre. Investor Relations, Coca Cola Amatil, viewed 28th August 2011, (http://ccamatil.com/InvestorRelations/Presentations/2006/2006%20Investor%20Day%20-%20Mentone %20-%20Automated%20Distribution%20Centre%20Presentation%20-%20%2023Jun06.pdf) Packaging covenant, Coca Cola Amatil, viewed 28th August 2011 (http://www.packagingcovenant.org.au/documents/File/Coca-Cola%20Amatil%20(Aust)%20Pty%20Ltd %20AP_11_16.pdf)