Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED Announces Closing of Transaction with The Coca-Cola Company for Valdosta Coca-Cola Bottling Company
Valdosta, Georgia, 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 Central Region territory into Valdosta, Georgia.
“We are delighted to welcome the dedicated and talented men and women of Valdosta Coca-Cola into the UNITED family. Deeply rooted in Coca-Cola UNITED’s core values are community involvement and excellent customer service,” said Bo Taylor, Vice President, Central Region, Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED, Inc. “We are confident our Valdosta associates embrace these values and our local business operating model. Collectively, to support this model, we have created 26 new local jobs in Tallahassee, FL, Valdosta, GA, and 3 positions in our Customer Solutions Center.”
“Valdosta Coca-Cola is honored to be part of the Coca-Cola UNITED family. Dating back to 1897, when the first bottle of Coca-Cola was produced at Valdosta Bottling Works, we have had the privilege of serving and refreshing the Valdosta communities,” said Lesley Stephens, Sales Center Manager, Valdosta Coca-Cola Bottling Company. “UNITED’s local business operating model will allow us to continue our legacy of excellent customer service and community involvement. We are very proud to represent Coca-Cola UNITED and look forward to celebrating all the moments of happiness, pride and success to come.”
“Valdosta Coca-Cola’s presence is historic. The plans Coca-Cola UNITED has for the future in Valdosta gives us great pride and enthusiasm,” said Mayor John Gayle, City of Valdosta. “We know the relationships between business, community and Coca-Cola bottler will continue and grow even stronger in the years to come.”
Valdosta 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