The Global Coca-Cola Ambassador program has enabled and inspired associates to be their best, recognizing people who exemplify authentic advocacy and belief in Coca-Cola every day.

The “Heart of Ambassador” award was designed to honor those who best represent the qualities of a Coca-Cola Ambassador. A global panel chose a monthly award recipient in 2017 from a group of associates, who were nominated by their local offices around the world.

Recipients of the 2017 Heart of Ambassador award, who are not based in Atlanta, will travel to Atlanta for a week-long visit at the company’s headquarters. The visit will serve as an opportunity for the group to meet with colleagues and leaders, as well as experience the magic of Coca-Cola in its hometown.

June marks the first event for our annual “Heart of Ambassador” team award won this year by Marietta Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Georgia (U.S.), Marietta’s local bottler within Coca-Cola UNITED’s family of local bottlers.

Although most of us can’t imagine going a year without some type of accident — a slip, a fall, or a minor traffic mishap — the local Marietta team celebrated, on April 12, a decade without a single accident or “lost time injury incident.”

This is the first plant in our system to reach such a milestone.

Compared to industry averages, the achievement is even more noteworthy: the average accident/injury rate in manufacturing plants is approximately ten per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

“We know it is possible to go for long periods of time without an incident, but it requires focus every single day and that’s what we strive for: committing to quality and safety, every single day,” said Aaron Fitchett, Marietta Plant Manager. “Our team comes to work every day focused on the details, and that delivers results.”

Our first priority is the safety of our associates. Our Occupational Safety and Health Policy provides clear directives that the leadership team supports, and the Marietta’s milestone proves is possible. The team wears this ten-year recognition as a badge of pride and works closely with other plants to share their experiences so our entire system can follow their example.