Coca-Cola UNITED Welcomes Valparaiso Coca-Cola and Announces the Transaction with The Coca-Cola Company in Valparaiso, Florida

Valparaiso, FL, September 29, 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 Valparaiso, Florida. Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED (CCBCU) began operating the new territories acquired in the transaction effective September 27, 2014. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

“This is an incredibly important chapter in Valparaiso Coca-Cola Bottling Company’s history,” said Ed Hall, Sales Center Manager, Valparaiso 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.

“Our 21^st Century Beverage Partnership Model underscores the strength of our franchise System and independent bottlers are critical to our success,” said Sandy Douglas, Group President, Coca-Cola North America. “Together with UNITED, we continue to transform our U.S. business and move closer to achieving our 2020 Vision.”

“We are pleased to welcome Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED to the city of Valparaiso,” said Bruce Arnold, Mayor, Valparaiso. “With the announced addition of new employees and a tradition of community involvement, the city looks forward to many years of partnership with the Valparaiso Coca-Cola Bottling Company and their new parent company, Coca-Cola Bottling UNITED.”

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.; Pensacola, Fla.; Savannah, Ga.; Spartanburg, S.C.; Statesboro, Ga.; Valparaiso, Fla.; 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.

April 16 Executive Announcement

For More Information Contact:

Carrie Crane
Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED
(M) 205-841-2653
(o) 205-849-4683