Coca-Cola UNITED Welcomes

Oxford Coca-Cola and Announces . . .

Closing of Transaction with The Coca-Cola Company in Oxford, Alabama

Oxford, AL, March 31, 2014 – Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED, headquartered in Birmingham, AL, announced today, it closed the transaction with The Coca-Cola Company expanding the company’s territory into the Oxford and Anniston areas.

Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED begins operating the new territories of Oxford Coca-Cola acquired in the transaction effective March 29, 2014. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

 “This is an incredibly important chapter in Oxford Coca-Cola Bottling Company’s 111 year history,” said Marc Walker, Sales Center Manager, Oxford Coca-Cola Bottling Company. “We are very fortunate to be part of Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED, a company that has a local operating model.  This means that we are responsible for serving our local consumers and customers, and as importantly, supporting our communities.” 

“This transaction follows The Coca-Cola Company’s announcement last year, in which it signed Letters of Intent to grant new, expanded territories to five U.S. bottlers: Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated, Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED Inc., Swire Coca-Cola USA, Coca-Cola Bottling Company High Country and Corinth Coca-Cola Bottling Works Inc,” said Claude Nielsen, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED.

 

“Together with Coca-Cola UNITED, we believe a strong franchise system has always been the competitive advantage of the Coca-Cola business globally. With this announcement we continue to transform our U.S. business and move closer to achieving our 2020 Vision,” said Sandy Douglas, Group President, Coca-Cola North America. 

“The Oxford area is pleased to welcome Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED to our city. With the announced addition of new employees and a tradition of community involvement, the city looks forward to many years of partnership with Oxford Coca-Cola Bottling Company and their new parent company, Coca-Cola Bottling UNITED,” said Leon Smith, mayor of Oxford, Alabama.

Currently, Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED has locations in Alabama and five other southeastern states. Coca-Cola UNITED, founded in 1902, is committed to their employees, customers and communities.

About Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED, Inc.:

Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED, Inc., founded in 1902, is the third largest Coca-Cola bottling company in the United States headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama. Coca-Cola United currently operates in the following locations: Augusta, Ga.; Baton Rouge, La.; Birmingham, Ala.; Brunswick, Ga.; Chattanooga, Tenn.; Cullman, Ala.; Gulfport, Miss.; Hattiesburg, Miss.; Lafayette, La.; Lake Charles, La.; McComb, Miss.; McRae, Ga.; Milledgeville, Ga.; Oxford, Ala.; Savannah, Ga.; Spartanburg, S.C.; Statesboro, Ga.; Waycross, Ga.; and West Alabama.

Coca-Cola UNITED is engaged principally in the production, marketing and distribution of Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Sprite, Fanta, Dasani water, POWERADE and other beverages under exclusive franchises from The Coca-Cola Company and other soft drink manufacturers.  For more information, visit www.cocacolaunited.com.

For More Information Contact:

Walker Jones, Community Relations Director

Coca-Cola Bottling Company United

(o) 205-841-2653