FBW Group’s growing engineering division has completed its latest East African project for Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA), the continent’s largest soft drinks bottler.
The leading planning, design, architecture and engineering group, with offices in Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda, has overseen the work at the Coca-Cola plant in Umoja, near the Kenyan capital Nairobi.
Working with South African-based design engineers Bara Consult, FBW was responsible for delivering the extension and alteration work at the plant, overcoming the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Despite those challenges, the project was completed on time. Building approvals were obtained and contractors appointed last May and work started onsite in July.
FBW has a strong track record of delivery, providing its civil and structural engineering expertise for projects at Coca-Cola bottling facilities in Kenya and Uganda for almost a decade.
It has worked on several important extensions to CCBA’s subsidiary Century Bottling’s operations, supporting the company’s growth and development. And it has held the engineer of record role for Coca-Cola’s facilities in both countries since 2012.
Working with the soft drink giant’s South African-based design engineers, FBW has been responsible for overseeing project delivery locally as registered engineer.
Joseph Debuni, FBW Group’s Ugandan-based director of engineering, said: “We’ve developed a strong working relationship with Coca-Cola over a number of years, building up our knowledge of their operations and what is required to successfully complete their projects. We work closely with their people in South Africa and here in East Africa.
“Among our roles, we deliver project management and site supervision, overseeing the work on the ground. As a multi-disciplinary practice, we’re able to offer a one-stop shop for Coca-Cola and all our industrial clients, who tap into our local expertise and commitment to international standards.
“Working with a high-profile global brand like Coca-Cola has also been of great benefit, in terms of increasing our knowledge and opening up further industrial opportunities across the region.”
Charles Nganga, senior structural engineer at FBW’s Nairobi office, added: “This was the second programme of work that we have overseen and delivered at the Umoja facility.
“The pandemic presented us with challenges and constraints but working closely with the project team both here, and in South Africa, we were able to continue to move the extension and alteration work forward.
“The finished project is a testament to everyone’s professionalism and dedication to get the job done.”
