THE ROLE OF PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT IN MANUFACTURING COMPANY ( A CASE STUDY OF COCA–COLA BOTTLING COMPANY PLC, BENIN CITY)

The purpose of this study was to analyze the role of product development and management in a manufacturing company; A Case study of coca-cola bottling company plc, Benin City. The population of the study or research work consist of management staff and employees of coca-cola Bottling Company plc, Benin City. The sample random sampling technique was employed in this study. A sample size of 75 respondents was used for the study. The questionnaire was the instrument used in gathering data for the study. To ensure reliability of the instrument, a test-retest method was employed. The research questions were analyzed using simple percentage method while the formulated hypothesis were analyzed using chi – square statistical tool of data analysis. The findings from the study revealed that coca-cola Bottling Company plc maintains the leadership position in the soft drinks market. The study recommends among others that Nigeria bottling company should feed the marketing department with necessary information about competitors activities in the market. This will enable them to make effort to increase its productivity to adequately cover a wide market by means of integrated steady supply.