MEXICO CITY, March 24 (Reuters) - Mexican bottler Arca

Continental on Tuesday said it will invest some 18.5 billion

Mexican pesos ($1.04 billion) this year across its operations,

the company said in a filing.

The company, one of the world's largest Coca-Cola

bottlers, said the funds will be used to improve operational

efficiency and invest in machinery, infrastructure, digital

tools and new beverage categories.

Arca said approximately half of the investment will be

allocated to its Mexican operations, while the remainder will be

split between the United States and South America.

($1 = 17.8172 Mexican pesos)