VALPARAISO COCA-COLA AND COCA-COLA UNITED ANNOUNCES $5M CAPITAL INVESTMENT IN VALPARAISO, FLORIDA

Valparaiso, Florida – January 15, 2016 – Valparaiso Coca-Cola Bottling Company (“Valparaiso Coca-Cola”), a division of Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED, Inc. (“Coca-Cola UNITED”) since September, 2014, announces Coca-Cola UNITED will invest an estimated $5 million for the construction of a new sales and distribution facility in Valparaiso, Florida.

The current facility, located at 647 Valparaiso Parkway, was constructed on the 5 acre parcel in the early 1970’s. After evaluating several options, parent company Coca-Cola UNITED determined that reinvesting in the Valparaiso Parkway property was the in the best interests of the employees, community and our customers.

“Our locally focused operating structure is a pillar of Coca-Cola UNITED’s business model. That model, executed by our local employees, emphasizes excellent customer service and strong community engagement,” said Claude Nielsen, Chairman and CEO, Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED. “This investment demonstrates our commitment to a great Coca-Cola franchise and optimism for the future in Valparaiso.”

“Our local team is really excited about the investment in a new facility and that we will remain a part of the Valparaiso community,” said Ed Hall, Sales Center Manager of Valparaiso Coca-Cola. “As we grow, our new state of the art facility will enable us to continue to deliver Coca-Cola products and meet our high standard of customer service.”

In April of 2016, reviewed and permitted by the City of Valparaiso, construction will begin on the new 25,000 square foot, state of the art, cross dock warehouse and office facility that will support the business for decades to come.

In order to keep sales, service and distribution fully operational, the construction will be executed in two phases. Phase I includes a new 12,000 square foot office and partial warehouse facility built on a vacant portion at the south end of the existing property. In September, 2016, upon completion of Phase I, operations will be transferred into the completed portion of the new building. Phase II construction will involve demolition of the former building and construction of 13,000 square feet of additional warehouse space, a fleet repair shop and an area dedicated to servicing the vending and fountain business in Valparaiso. Construction is expected to be completed in early 2017.

When completed, the facility will have the warehouse space, twenty loading docks and office space necessary to continue to provide excellent customer service and be the premier beverage provider for the customers, consumers and communities in the Valparaiso Coca-Cola market.

About Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED, Inc.
Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED, Inc., founded in 1902 and headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, 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 4,900 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