CATANIA (ITALPRESS) – An advanced infrastructure for logistics management, able to combine storage in height, automation and direct connection with production and distribution processes, through AI-based intelligent control systems. With an investment of 51 million euros, Sibeg Coca-Cola accelerates on the front of innovation and announces the realization of a new vertical automated warehouse that will rise in the industrial area of Catania, integrated with the existing plant. The project was presented today – Tuesday, July 7 – in the factory of the industrial area of Catania, on the occasion of the laying of the first stone off the ground of the new logistic pole. This is a strategic step in the development path of the company, designed to increase operational efficiency, optimize the management of logistics flows and support the growth of volumes through a new generation infrastructure. The project provides for the construction of a building intended for automated storage of goods, with a capacity of approximately 43,000 pallets, connected to the existing plant through a high tunnel that will ensure continuity and direct connection between the different production areas. The new complex will be divided into two main elements: an operating building developed on two levels, with an area of over 9,200 square meters and a height of about 20 meters, intended for handling and managing goods; a vertical Pick Tower, the heart of the automated system, with an area of over 7,300 square meters and a height of 28 meters, designed to optimize the storage and withdrawal processes. To make the project particularly innovative is also the dual automation of the incoming and outgoing flows: the new system will be among the few in Italy to automatically move both the raw materials in the input to the production lines, and the finished product towards the storage and loading mouths. In concrete, the materials necessary for production – including plugs, preforms and cans – will be automatically conveyed towards the lines, while the pallets of the finished product will follow the reverse path, in a continuous and interconnected system that optimizes time, efficiency and management capacity. The new logistic pole will also be equipped with photovoltaic systems and battery storage systems, with a power of 2.1 MWp and a capacity of 2 MWh, thus contributing to the reduction of energy impact and the improvement of the autonomy of the plant.
‘With this project Sibeg Coca-Cola makes a further qualitative leap on the industrial and organizational level – explained the general manager Luca Busi – investing in advanced automation means increasing competitiveness and programming skills, but also means consolidating in Catania a modern, smart, sustainable and ready to face the challenges of the coming years. It is a choice that looks to the future of the company and, at the same time, confirms our trust in the territory and its ability to accompany processes of growth and innovation.
In the institutional greeting sent for the occasion, the Minister of Enterprises and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso, stressed ‘the value of Sibeg as a leading reality for the Mezzogiorno, capable for 65 years to combine the strength of a great international brand with an authentic bond with the economy and society of the Isolà. The minister has highlighted how the new automated logistics platform represents an advanced industrial choice, able to strengthen the competitiveness of the Catania plant, combining innovation, energy efficiency and sustainability: a model of Made in Italy based on technology, responsibility, work and development of the territory.
‘The laying of the first stone of the new vertical automated warehouse represents much more than the start of an indu workstriale: it is the concrete sign of the confidence in the future of Sicily and the Mezzogiorno – said the undersecretary to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers with delegation to the Policies for South Luigi Sbarra, in his video greeting – The South does not ask for shortcuts, asks for modern infrastructure, clear rules, efficiency and the possibility to compete, to equal weapons, with the other regions of the center-north and with the international community.
“Sibeg is one of the pioneering realities of our industrial area: a company that has chosen to remain firmly rooted in Catania and that, over the years, has been able to anticipate the processes of innovation, sustainability and automation – underlined the mayor of Catania Enrico Trantino – This investment is placed in a moment of strong relaunch of the productive area of the city, that the Municipality, together with the Region, lighting is accompanying with a plan of infrastructural requalification of drainage infrastructure road from The choice of Sibeg confirms that when public and private look in the same direction, conditions are created to attract investments, generate work and strengthen the industrial future of the territory.
The investment is part of Sibeg Coca-Cola’s broadest commitment to increasingly efficient and sustainable production models, and will also generate an employment impact, with the inclusion of 24 new resources that will be added to the 449 employees currently organic. “Every project was born from a vision and a projection on the future – says Marco Facchinetti, designer and director of the works (founder partner The Blossom Avenue Partners) – Here in Catania, a historical company called us to “reface the skin” and increase the space at its disposal, but what we have imagined for almost three years and that we are building is decidedly more. The project forms the “factory” of today, in which people and machines, human and artificial intelligences live in a new form of mutual respect. We will see a contemporary factory, clean, technologically advanced and sustainable, able to integrate into the industrial landscape and give it further value.
‘We are honored to have been selected by Sibeg as a partner for the construction of the new automated logistics platform in Catania – added Alberto Gnavi, Country Director BEG Ingènierie Italia – the project requires specific technical and organizational skills and consolidates the presence of BEG Ingènierie Group in the industrial sector FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods). We are working in synergy with the customer and with the other selected partners, in order to realize a project of great complexity and high quality, respecting environmental sustainability and the territory. In addition to the construction of the new building, the intervention includes new logistic areas, internal mobility, equipped outdoor storage spaces and works of requalification and extension of existing offices.
‘We are proud to accompany Sibeg in a project that interprets a clear direction: bringing the supply chain to the center of the choices that will guide growth and competitive capacity – said Luigi Panzetti, CEO of System Logistics – is a choice that marks the evolution of the chains of Food&Beverage, where automation enters the heart of processes and enables a platform capable of sustaining volumes, speed and quality of service. An integrated and continuous model, designed to evolve with business and effectively improve operational efficiency and sustainability along the entire value chain. Flexible and scalable solutions, supported by a consolidated design capacity and a distinctive expertise: it is on these bases that we work alongside large groups, accompanying its growth and contributing to the development of the supply chain of the futurò.
‘The new warehouse that will rise in Catania represents a strategic investment for the terrmarco Zanisi of Lytòs, a technical partner of the operation, explains the itorio and lays the foundations for the development of one of the most important productive realities of Sicily – the project is ambitious; it will develop in an area with high seismic risk: a context in which we will make available the know-how matured over 60 years to guarantee safe and cutting-edge solutions. Structural reliability and quality of production and installation processes are central elements of our work, and in this realization they will find full expression. It is a project that will enhance the skills of all involved actors and that we will address enthusiastically, aware of the importance of this new infrastructure for the logistic system of the Mezzogiornò.
The work, started in February 2026, will end in July 2027: the pole will enter its full operation in November 2027. ‘After the aseptic line, the eighth production line inaugurated last year, this investment represents a clear and concrete industrial choice: we continue to strengthen Sibeg Coca-Cola as an advanced production leader of the Mezzogiorno – concluded Luca Busi, during the talk moderated by journalist of the TG5 Costanza Calabrese – Today Sibeg is much more than a company: it is a model. With passion and vision, we aim to be the “Gazzella” of the Coca-Cola system in Italy: agile in the execution of plans, best in class in execution, close to customers and protagonists of market growth. A reality that has succeeded in transforming one of the strongest global company into a family company at zero km. A company that has sewn a tailor-made suit for Sicily in terms of offering and product, transforming every challenge into opportunities, taking on the role of Innovation Hub, Pilot and area-test for the Business Unit, able to talk every day to five million consumers and seven million tourists.
– Coca Cola press office photos –
(ITALPRESS).
