Chattanooga Coca-Cola Bottling Company Finalizes Expansion in Chattanooga

World’s First Coca-Cola Bottling Company Adds Jobs to Meet Growing Regional Demand

Chattanooga, TN (April 25, 2014) – Chattanooga Coca-Cola Bottling Company, a division of Coca-Cola Bottling Company United (CCBCU) has finalized plans to build a new, state-of-the-art distribution and sales facility in Hamilton County.  As previously reported, the company plans to invest $62 million and create 43 new jobs.

According to Darren Hodges, division vice president for Chattanooga Coca-Cola Bottling Company, the company has purchased the former Olan Mills site located on West Shepherd Road near Highway 153. The company plans to demolish the existing structures on the site and build a new 305,000 square foot distribution and sales facility with the goal of starting operations at the new facility in 16-18 months.

“Coca-Cola Bottling began in Chattanooga 115 years ago,” Hodges said. “We’re proud to reaffirm our commitment to this community by establishing a new distribution facility and regional offices.”

Chattanooga Coca-Cola currently employs approximately 484 people at its location on Amnicola Highway, which will continue to hold the bottling operation. The distribution facility and regional offices will be transferred to the new location. By establishing this new facility in Hamilton County, the company will retain 270 jobs that would have been moved elsewhere. Chattanooga Coca-Cola will also add 43 new jobs at the new location.

Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke applauded the company’s decision to re-use an existing industrial site. “Chattanooga Coca-Cola Bottling is creating new jobs while breathing new life into a vacant industrial property,” Mayor Berke said. “We will continue to work closely with the company to support them in becoming operational on the timetable they’ve set.”

“We’re proud to support Coca-Cola Bottling and keep them growing in Chattanooga,” said Mayor Coppinger. “Their continuing investment speaks to our strengths in providing an outstanding workforce as well as top-notch distribution infrastructure.

Wood also thanked David DeVaney of Charter Real Estate Company. “DeVaney has contributed substantially to this effort both in terms of identifying sites and completing due diligence to finalize the project.”

Coca-Cola Bottling Company United (CCBCU), parent company of Chattanooga Coca-Cola, has three production facilities and 19 distribution sales centers located in six Southeastern states. In the United States, they are the third largest bottler of Coca-Cola products and are the second largest privately held Coca-Cola bottler employing a workforce of approximately 3,000 people.

 Founded in 1902, CCBCU produces and distributes more than 750 refreshing  beverages and over 100 million cases each year.

For more information about CCBCU including information about how to apply for a job, please visit: https://cocacolaunited.com/careers/.

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.; 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. 

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Contact

J.Ed. Marston

Chattanooga Chamber

jmarston@chattanoogachamber.com

(423) 763-4347

Walker Jones, Community Relations Director

Coca-Cola Bottling Company United, Inc.

205-841-2653