COCA-COLA

23/Nov/09- We left our school at 8 p.m and reached our destination, “The Coca Cola FESMA Factory”, in less than 1.5 hours. We were well received and were ushered to a room where we were to be presented. Our host was very informative and friendly. He presented a couple of videos and presentations regarding the history of Coca Cola and the current factory respectively. He took questions and was very excited about the prospect to smash all the myths regarding the company he worked for. After his precise introduction, we were offered beverages to refresh ourselves and then we were given radios to keep intouch with our host during the trip across the factory. Our trip started as we were shown the cleaning area (where the bottles and everything else were washed and cleaned). X-Ray sensors were used to ensure the cleanliness of the bottles. After that, we were shown how the production line for the Fanta cans, the Fanta bottles and the Coca Cola bottles. The cans observed a familiar pattern as empty topless cans entered in high numbers, only to be cleaned and then filled. They also passed through sensors to ensure that the production of the cans was not below the permitted amount(by the government). According to the factory (which happens to be the biggest Coca Cola factory in the world), it produces around 90,000 cans per hour. The bottles observed a little different pattern as they were recycled and cleaned to ultimate perfection (those which might have been dirty were seperated only to be cleaned again). The empty bottles then passed through the filler (it was being cooled down continuously by water), and the bottles were capped and full when they left it. The bottles were passed through sensors to ensure if the amount of soft-drink in the bottles was at the optimum level (not less than the amount printed on the bottle). According to our host, around 48,000 bottles were produced in an hour. After we were shown the process, we were asked to see the production in a less inslutated way. Not surprisingly, the cans were a cause to extra-ordinary noise pollution. The workers had to put insulated materials to protect their ears. After all they had shown us, we were taken back into the room where we were previously ushered into. We were shown some advertisements and commercials made by Coca Cola and were later given some souvenirs to remember the extra-ordinary field trip we had.

I thoroughly enjoyed the trip as it gave me an exposure to a completely new experience. A visit to the factory, made me realize the various processes a bottle or can of coke goes through before we actually use it. The hard work and commitment behind an organization was an eye opener and I was jubilated by the experience to the Coca-Cola FEMSA Company. The profound history of the company was something which I was unaware about and it was of immense importance in terms of global affairs. Although the presence of more students would have been better, the experience was extra-ordinary.