Conard Van Nierkerk is the new managing director for Century Bottling Company-the makers of Coca Cola. He replaces Norton Kingwill. Conrad joins Coca Cola with wealth of experience spanning more than 20 years in both Franchise and Bottling sides of the soft drink business where he has held executive roles with a major blue-chip organization –Coca Cola and franchise operations.
Mr. Van Nierkerk, a former Pastor at Regional & Campus Pastor at The Bay Christian Family Church, he started his career in Coca Cola SABCO in 1990 to 1994 where he held various positions. Subsequently, he has held various leadership in The Coca-Cola Company in South Africa and Egypt. In 2008 he was appointed to head the Ghana bottler.
He comes in at time when Ugandan beverage market is very hot. New entrants particularly Riham Cola have shifted and changed the soft drinks market landscape. The company has caused significant churn rates and reduced revenues of the top market players. Coca-Cola attempt to disorganize Riham Cola through court battles over branding especially the look and feel of the Riham bottles has not helped matters. Can he regain Coca Cola’s declining sales and market share? Only time will tell.
