Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED Announces Closing of Transaction with The Coca-Cola Company in Birmingham, Alabama

BIRMINGHAM, AL, 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 territory into Tallahassee, Florida; Valdosta, Georgia; Alexandria, Monroe, and Shreveport, Louisiana; and Natchez, Mississippi. Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED began operating the new territories acquired in the transaction effective October 31, 2015. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

“Coca-Cola UNITED’s success is dependent on great brands and great people. We have a locally focused operating model which concentrates on excellent customer service and strong community engagement,” said Claude Nielsen, Chairman and CEO, Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED. “After visiting all newly acquired territories and meeting all of our new employees, I see significant opportunity and am optimistic our values and operating strategy will be well received.”

“Our 21st Century Beverage Partnership Model underscores the strength of The Coca-Cola System, and independent bottlers are critical to our success,” said Sandy Douglas, President, Coca-Cola North America. “Together with Coca-Cola UNITED, we are building a model that is modern, agile and consumer and customer focused, and one that balances national scale and local capability.”

Consistent with previous transactions, Coca-Cola UNITED and The Coca-Cola Company will work collaboratively to benefit from more rational and contiguous operating territories; an improved, more integrated information technology platform across bottlers; and a new beverage agreement that supports the Coca-Cola system’s evolving U.S. operating model.

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.
Cell:   205.212.4068
Direct: 205.849.4683