Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED Announces Closing of Transaction with The Coca-Cola Company for Monroe Coca-Cola Bottling Company

Monroe, Louisiana, November 2, 2015 – Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED, Inc. (“Coca-Cola UNITED”), headquartered in Birmingham, AL, announced today, it closed the transaction with The Coca-Cola Company expanding Coca-Cola UNITED’s West Region territory into Monroe, Louisiana.

“It’s with great enthusiasm that we welcome the Louisiana and Mississippi Coca-Cola territories into the West Region of our Coca-Cola UNITED family,” said Paul Favaron, Vice President, West Region, Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED, Inc. “To support their work and our locally focused business model, we will be creating 78 new local jobs collectively, in Alexandria, Monroe, Shreveport, and Natchez.”

“For over 120 years, Monroe Coca-Cola has had a rich history of community engagement and customer service,” said Keith Biedenharn, Sales Center Manager, Monroe Coca-Cola Bottling Company.  “As a part of Coca-Cola UNITED, we are committed to our local business operating model which supports strong customer service and community involvement.  Believing in the growth potential of Monroe and northeast Louisiana, we will create 22 new local jobs.  This is an exciting time for Monroe Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola UNITED and the communities in which we live and work.”

“We are proud to say that Coca-Cola has deep roots in our city.  We want to thank the Biedenharn family and those associated with Monroe Coca-Cola Bottling Company for establishing what has been a more than 120 year presence in the City of Monroe and northeast Louisiana,” said Mayor Jamie Mayo, City of Monroe.  “We are very excited to welcome Coca-Cola UNITED to our community and look forward to future cooperative endeavors.  In addition to the creation of 22 local jobs, their planned capital investments show their confidence in the growth potential of doing business in Monroe and northeast Louisiana.”

Monroe Coca-Cola Bottling Company began operations as a part of Coca-Cola UNITED October 31, 2015. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

About Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED, Inc.:

Founded in 1902 and headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED, Inc. is the third largest bottler of Coca-Cola products in the United States and the second largest privately held Coca-Cola bottler employing more than 4,800 employees. Coca-Cola UNITED currently refreshes customers, consumers and communities in 33 territories across 7 southeastern states with sparkling and still brands for every occasion.  Engaged principally in the production, marketing and distribution of Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Sprite, Fanta, Dasani water, POWERADE, vitaminwater and many more under exclusive franchise agreements with The Coca-Cola Company and other soft drink manufacturers.

With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, Coca-Cola UNITED is focused on initiatives that reduce our environmental footprint, support active, healthy living, create a safe, inclusive work environment for our associates, and enhance the economic development of the communities where we live and work. For more information, visit us at www.cocacolaunited.com.

Contact:
Carrie Crane
Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED, Inc.
pamelaneal@ccbcu.com
O:  205-849-4683
C:  205-212-4068