General Soft Drinks launches interactive viewing gallery

All those visiting the company between the 1^st and 23^rd of December, 2011 will be asked to donate a small contribution in aid of Istrina 2011.

The viewing gallery was officially launched by H.E. Dr George Abela, President of Malta on Wednesday 30^th November at the GSD plant situated at Marsa Industrial Estate, Marsa. He was welcomed by Mr. Brian Mizzi, Managing Director on behalf of the directors of Mizzi Organisation and Ms. Maria Micallef, General Manager of The General Soft Drinks.

This is not the first time that GSD is collaborating with MCCF.  Last year GSD organised GIVE a fundraising 3-day event in aid of The Malta Community Chest Fund. During this event, the tour of the bottling plant proved to be very popular with the general public and visitors. Hence, the company decided to take it a step further and create an interactive ambience for all visitors who would like to take this tour.

The viewing gallery will take the visitors on a unique journey which the famous Coca-Cola bottle goes through before it reaches its ready-to-drink format which we all know and recognize. They will watch some interesting videos featuring an overview of the plant, the process the bottle goes through to take its shape and a peak into the syrup room where the secret components of the Coca-Cola sparkling beverages and other products produced by the company come together.

As a company GSD actively supports a variety of charitable causes, environmental programmes, cultural events and sports initiatives. To mark the upcoming festive season, all visitors taking the tour between the 1^st of December and the 23^rd of December, 2011, will be asked to donate €2 upon entry and all proceeds will then be donated to Istrina 2011.

''The concept of a viewing gallery is synonymous with Coca-Cola International.  When it was time to start working on our viewing gallery, we toured various Coca-Cola galleries and we took on board some ideas and tips to implement locally.

The substantial investment in the gallery resulted in putting together a state of the art project which was recognized as one of the best Coca-Cola viewing galleries around the world," said Ms. Maria Micallef, General Manager of GSD.

She added, "We are pleased to be launching the viewing gallery for the general public who would like to see in person how their favourite products are made. We are also happy to use this initiative to support the Malta Community Chest Fund. Special thanks go to staff at the Office of the President."

H.E. Dr George Abela, on behalf of The Malta Community Chest Fund thanked fully The Directors of The General Soft Drinks for offering their support to Istrina 2011 through this initiative and urged the general public to grab this opportunity to visit the GSD plant and contribute to a very good cause. The aim of The Malta Community Chest Fund is to support NGO's, associations and above all individuals with different needs.

All those interested to book and take the tour are being asked to book online by visiting http://tour.gsd.com.mt or by calling on 22291582. The tour is approximately one (1) hour long and all visitors will be treated to a refreshing drink. More details may be found on www.mycoke.com.mt