Class trip to Coca-Cola
Few beverage brands have such high popularity as Coca-Cola. Since its invention in 1886 in Atlanta, Coca-Cola has expanded its operations into more than 200 countries and has attracted a large number of faithful customers. After its introduction to Japan in 1956, it successfully gained a high popularity in this country despite early difficulties. The trip to its factory, on September 2nd, 2025 provided a wonderful opportunity for the Grade 12 DP Business Management class to explore how the company operates, and witness how its products are made.
From the moment we entered the factory, we were amazed by the huge machine in front of us. Countless bottles moved along the conveyor belts at a remarkable speed, washed, filled, and sealed. Before we could have a closer look, the factory staff took us to the second floor, where we were able to learn the history of the company and taste its oldest and most classic drink, the Coca-Cola original. From the photos and texts on the display board, we also learned the way the company practices Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). For example, Coca-Cola is currently supporting local Japanese government to prepare for large-scale disasters while also making effort to recycle its waste materials through the “bottle to bottle” initiative. In addition, the trash made from plant-based materials is recycled at a surprising rate of 98.3%.
During the second half of the excursion, we were given a detailed introduction to the machinery used in producing Coca-Cola drinks. With the staff’s explanation, we realized that during the production process, not only is speed and precision important, but quality control should also be integrated into each step to ensure the drink is safe and tasty for every consumer. One of my classmates commented, “I was able to gain new knowledge about the stringent control of the drinks' manufacturing process, from the creation of plastic bottles to ensuring the cleanliness of the beverages. ” Similarly, another said: “I got to physically see how productive capital-intensive production is and how cheap (in terms of labor) it can really be with our advancements in technology. ”
Overall, the Coca-Cola trip was a perfect experience for us since it allowed us to see how the business management theories are applied in actual companies by physically being able to visualize its production process and operation systems.
