Hemant Rupani has been appointed as the new CEO of Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt. Ltd (HCCB), the largest bottling partner of The Coca-Cola Company in India. Effective from September 8, 2025, the leadership change reflects Coca-Cola’s strategic focus on deepening its India operations. Rupani’s appointment comes amid HCCB’s strong financial growth and recent structural shifts in Coca-Cola’s India business.
Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt. Ltd (HCCB), the leading bottling subsidiary of The Coca-Cola Company in India, has announced the appointment of Hemant Rupani as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective September 8, 2025. The move marks a significant leadership shift for Coca-Cola’s largest bottler in India, as it aligns its long-term strategy with evolving consumer and market dynamics.
Rupani succeeds Juan Pablo Rodriguez, who took charge as CEO in August 2022 and is now transitioning to a new role within the Coca-Cola system. The leadership change comes at a pivotal time, as HCCB continues to scale operations and navigate India’s competitive non-alcoholic beverage landscape.
HCCB operates 13 manufacturing facilities across 12 states, covering 236 districts primarily in southern and western India. The company forms a vital part of Coca-Cola’s supply chain and bottling infrastructure in the country. The Coca-Cola Company’s December 2024 announcement that the Jubilant Bhartia Group would acquire a 40% stake in Hindustan Coca-Cola Holdings Pvt. Ltd, the parent entity of HCCB, underscores the increasing localization of operations.
Rupani brings over two decades of experience across top-tier FMCG and technology firms. He currently serves as Business Unit President for Southeast Asia at Mondelez International, where he oversees multiple key markets including Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam. His prior roles at PepsiCo, Infosys, Vodafone, Britannia, and Mondelez have given him deep exposure to consumer dynamics, sales transformation, and operational strategy.
In FY24, HCCB recorded strong financial performance, with consolidated revenue rising by 10% year-on-year to ₹14,021.54 crore, while net profit surged 246% to ₹2,808.3 crore, as per data from Tofler. Rupani’s appointment signals HCCB’s intent to continue this growth trajectory by focusing on operational excellence, market penetration, and portfolio innovation.
The appointment also comes at a time when Coca-Cola India is diversifying its product offerings, strengthening its bottling network, and expanding rural and urban outreach. The company’s beverage portfolio in India includes flagship brands like Coca-Cola, Sprite, Thums Up, Fanta, and Minute Maid.
With an educational background that includes a degree in mechanical engineering from Regional Engineering College, Jaipur, and an MBA in marketing from the Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), University of Delhi, Rupani is expected to bring both analytical and leadership capabilities to the role.
As Coca-Cola deepens its footprint in India through structural and strategic pivots, Rupani’s appointment to the top job at HCCB reflects confidence in Indian leadership talent and the long-term potential of the country’s beverage market.
