COCA COLA Bottlers has just completed a £4 million investment at its plant on the Naas Road in Dublin.

The investment, which is in a new 65,000 sq. ft. warehouse facility, has been prompted by a substantial growth in turnover in recent years according to the company.

Coca Cola Bottlers, which has 480 permanent staff, and 160 part timers, claims to have a 47 per cent share of the £360 million soft drinks market in the Republic. The company does not reveal its profit figures.

Despite a cold, wet summer, turnover at Coca Cola bottlers has increased by 23 per cent so far this year, according to the company.

Coca Cola Bottler's marketing manager, Mr Brendan Nevin, said the market in general was growing by about 9 per cent, but that the Coke family of brands was gaining market share. Increased competition in the market had stimulated all brands, he added.

The average Irish person currently consumed 96 litres of soft drinks per year.