Hindustan Coca‑Cola Beverages Pvt. Ltd (HCCB), the country’s largest bottling partner of Coca‑Cola, has officially appointed Hemant Rupani as its new Chief Executive Officer. Rupani, who brings nearly a decade of leadership experience from Mondelez, will succeed Juan Pablo Rodriguez, who is transitioning to a new role within the Coca‑Cola organization.
A Leader with FMCG Expertise
Hemant Rupani has amassed over 28 years of experience across top-tier FMCG, tech, and telecom sectors:
- Began his journey in 1997 with ICI India (paints)
- Transitioned to PepsiCo India in 1999, then Infosys in 2002, and returned to PepsiCo in 2004 as Senior VP, Customer Marketing, India Beverages.
- Moved to Vodafone (2010) and Britannia Industries (2014) in key leadership roles.
- Joined Mondelez in 2016 as Director of Sales for India, later elevated to MD for Vietnam, and ultimately President of Southeast Asia (2022–2025), overseeing operations in six countries.
He holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from REC Jaipur and an MBA (Marketing) from FMS, University of Delhi.
What This Means for HCCB
HCCB operates 13 bottling plants serving 236 districts across India’s south and west. The role is strategic, especially after the Jubilant Bhartia Group acquired a 40% stake in its parent company in late 2024, a significant ₹12,500 crore investment.
In fiscal year 2024, HCCB reported robust revenue growth (10% YoY to ₹14,021.5 crore) and a staggering 246% surge in net profit to ₹2,808.3 crore.
The company’s portfolio includes key brands like Coca‑Cola, Thums Up, Sprite, Fanta, and Minute Maid. With Rupani at the helm, HCCB looks to deepen its foothold in the Indian beverage market.
Strategic Vision: Why Rupani
In announcing the appointment, HCCB emphasized Rupani’s track record in delivering commercial growth and leading cross-border teams:
“Hemant is a highly accomplished business leader who has delivered impressive results and driven commercial success over his career… HCCB looks forward to him helping deliver on the bottler’s considerable investment in India”.
His diverse background – from paints and telecom to leading Southeast Asian markets – positions him uniquely to tackle India’s dynamic beverage landscape.
What Lies Ahead
Starting September 8, Rupani will report directly to the HCCB board. Expectations include:
- Accelerating growth across existing regions and exploring new markets
- Strengthening operational efficiency across HCCB’s 13 factories
- Integrating strategies alongside Jubilant Bhartia’s partnership to align on long-term brand and infrastructure goals
Rodriguez’s transition within Coca‑Cola suggests a smooth leadership handover, maintaining continuity while ushering in fresh FMCG management expertise.
Final Take
Hemant Rupani’s selection as CEO signals Coca‑Cola’s intent to leverage seasoned FMCG leadership to bolster its bottling strengths in India. With a tested résumé spanning emerging markets, plus robust backing from the Jubilant consortium, he is poised to steer HCCB into its next growth phase – starting 8 September 2025.