Investing $28MM & adding 48 jobs in our production facility

A Birmingham manufacturer is investing $28 million in its Montgomery plant and plans to add 48 jobs.

Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED Inc. will begin the facility improvements at the production facility and warehouse in 2018. The project allocates $23 million for expanding production capability and $5 million for growing the warehouse. Company leaders expect the projects to be complete mid-year.

“Coca-Cola UNITED continues to invest in Montgomery as a way to better serve our customers and communities in the important River Region,” said President and CEO John Sherman. “This community became part of the Coca-Cola UNITED family in 2014, and the dedication and commitment of our team here is second to none.”

The manufacturing facility in Montgomery, once expanded, will produce 38 million cases of beverages. The second Montgomery facility, the sales and distribution center, handles sales, distribution and marketing of Coca-Cola products for the River Region. More than 3,500 customers throughout the region are served by the Montgomery sales center.

Since it was acquired in 2014, the Birmingham bottler has already invested $37 million and created 99 new jobs in Montgomery. Currently, there are 460 associates in Montgomery working in the two facilities, with a total annual payroll of more than $15.7 million.

The Montgomery investment is one in a series of moves from Birmingham’s Coca-Cola. The manufacturer recently acquired 10 new territories, and is eyeing a possible expansion in Birmingham.

RELATED: Meet John Sherman, president and CEO of Coca-Cola UNITED