We’ve raised standards in the hospitality and retail sectors, which are particularly important in countries like ours, where tourism is one of the main branches of the economy,” says Coca-Cola HBC Montenegro Executive Director Nikola Tripković, before noting that he is proud of his team, which has been raising the bar yearon- year when it comes to the company’s approach to customers, market development and innovation.
Coca-Cola HBC Montenegro is this year celebrating its 20th birthday. How would you describe the first two decades of operations?
― We have behind us two decades of growth and investment. When we launched operations on the Montenegrin market, our portfolio included just a few brands.
Today we have a comprehensive 24/7 portfolio. Alongside the world’s most famous carbonated drinks, we also offer consumers natural spring water, carbonated water, fruit juices and energy drinks, as well as top coffee brands and alcoholic beverages. We have thus become a part of special moments in many homes of consumers nationwide.
We’ve progressed from just a few customers to the 3,200 establishments that are now visited by our sales teams. We’ve invested around 8.5 million euros in market development over the course of just the last 10 years.
What would you highlight as your greatest success?
― Our employees – without any dilemma. Our company engages more than 100 people directly and indirectly, including in logistics, and among them are people who’ve been part of Coca-Cola HBC Montenegro for the entire 20 years. This is the special worth of this team, as we are building a team that desires to grow and achieve successes and goals together with the company.
We are particularly active in three areas in Montenegro: environmental protection, youth development and support for vulnerable groups
It is a privilege for me to have a team like this, which raises the bar year-on-year when it comes to the company’s approach to customers, market development and innovation.
Are you among the sustainable business leaders in Montenegro, as is the case on other markets where Coca-Cola HBC operates?
― Sustainability is the common thread that runs through all truly successful businesses. We are particularly active in three areas in Montenegro: environmental protection, youth development and support for vulnerable groups. Our initiatives are all multi-year efforts, because we don’t believe in ad hoc solutions, but rather long-term changes that are gradual and planned.
Through the environmental initiative “Catch a clean wave”, we have to date submitted over 100 tons of waste for recycling instead of being landfilled. We were also the first on the market to introduce packaging innovations that reduce plastic use (cardboard packaging for four-can multipacks) and ease the depositing of entire bottles for recycling (attached caps). In cooperation with industry partners and the Chamber of Commerce, we conducted the first Study on packaging waste, which provided approaches to resolve the packaging waste problem.
“Coca-Cola Youth Empowered” is a programme through which we’ve empowered over 3,000 young people from all over Montenegro with skills and knowledge, thereby preparing them for the labour market. We also encourage innovators with ideas that have the power to change the world for the better. We have for many years been a proud partner of the Social Impact Award programme, but also the European Youth Card in Montenegro, which unites more than 55,000 young people.
With a strong sense of solidarity, Coca-Cola HBC Montenegro is also always prepared to support sensitive groups within our communities, such as socially vulnerable families, children with developmental disabilities, children exploited for begging. With every positive change that we are part of, our purpose becomes whole and complete.
