MANILA, Philippines - Stepping up its drive to improve productivity, Asiawide Refreshments Corporation (ARC), the licensed Philippine bottler and manufacturer of RC Cola products, recently acquired brand-new route trucks from Mitsubishi Motors Philippines. The new route trucks will not only keep inventory levels up but also improve service efficiency with RC Cola partners and dealers in different areas.
Route trucks are the blueprint for any enterprise engaged in the beverage industry; it creates efficient product supply links between the company, their dealers and customers. Disruption of truck deliveries not only paralyzes the services and selling activities of the soft drinks firm and their dealers but also the communities in the areas they serve. Without access to product deliveries, dealers will not be able to replenish their goods and soft drink consumers will not be able to get their cola fix.
Manufactured by leading motor conglomerate Mitsubishi Motors Philippines, ARC’s new truck — one of several brand new route trucks sporting the new RC Cola logo and truck design — was recently showcased at the 4th Philippine International Motor Show held at the World Trade Center. ARC executive vice president and chief operating officer Gerry T. Garcia, Butch Aves, ARC vice president for manufacturing and technical services and Mitsubishi executive vice president for marketing division Taizo Furuhashi were on hand to present the new route truck.
“When we started nine years ago, we managed with a few second-hand trucks. As the company grew, we needed to be more efficient in meeting market demand as well as upgrade the quality of our account servicing system. When we scouted around, Mitsubishi was the brand that stood out,” explained Aves. “Mitsubishi does not only rank high on their economic, technical and marketing evaluation, but was also the company eager to deliver trucks tailor fit to ARC growing needs while at the same time creating solutions that impact the environment such as less fuel consumption.”
It also marks the start of a partnership between ARC and Mitsubishi. On their part, Mitsubishi is grateful for the opportunity.
“This is a great moment for Mitsubishi. We thank ARC for the opportunity to serve them. This is our first time to partner with ARC and we are very glad to have this partnership,” said Furohashi.
ARC’s acquisition of the new trucks is part of a five-year plan to increase its fleet and to improve on account servicing efficiency and expand its coverage. This move bolsters ARC’s commitment to not only improve its supply chain process but also continuously meet and exceed its partners-dealers and customers’ expectations.