From The Press. A $5 million automated distribution centre will be built at Christchurch's Coca-Cola Amatil plant.

The company officially opened its new $15 million bottle production line at its Woolston plant today.

The new blow-fill technology enables the company to design and self-manufacture its own PET plastic beverage bottles, rather than purchasing them from a supplier.

The company has invested an additional $9 million into infrastructure repair and re-establishing of operations at the Woolston site after it suffered significant damage in both the September 2010 and February 2011 earthquakes.

Coca-Cola New Zealand managing director George Adams said the company remained committed to Christchurch.

"Across our site rebuild, new blow-fill technology and redevelopment of the warehouse, we have invested close to $30 million into the local business community.

"This sort of investment is crucial for Christchurch as it continues to re-establish itself as a major business hub in the South Island."

To see the rest of this story, click here.