Project expected to create up to 50 new
jobs
BIRMINGHAM, Ala., May 23, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- Coca-Cola Bottling Company United, Inc. (UNITED)
announced today an estimated $330
million investment in a new, multifaceted Birmingham
Coca-Cola facility in the Kingston
community that is expected to create up to 50 new jobs and retain
more than 750 jobs in the Magic City.
Coca-Cola UNITED in 2013 purchased the land of the former
Stockham Valves and Fittings site on 40th Street North, about two
miles from its current location off East Lake Boulevard, in the
hopes of one day building a new facility. Those hopes have since
become a highly anticipated and welcome reality, said Coca-Cola
UNITED President and CEO Mike
Suco.
"Our story began more than 120 years ago in Birmingham, and with this investment, our
story will continue for years to come," Suco said. "Today's
announcement reflects our long-standing commitment to our
associates, our customers and the communities we have the honor of
serving. It is through our strong relationships that we have
arrived at this defining moment in our company's history, and we
are grateful to our local and state officials and partners for
their support in our continued success."
Coca-Cola UNITED Board of Directors Chairman Conrad W. Rafield III added that the investment
is a testament to the company's associates and the community at
large. The new facility will serve Jefferson County and 11 other surrounding
counties.
"This project has been years in making and we are excited to
build a campus that will reflect our foundational core values of
Quality, Excellence, Integrity and Respect," Rafield said. "We are
incredibly proud of the relationships and partnerships we've forged
in the greater Birmingham area
through the years, and we remain committed to being good stewards
and neighbors in the communities where we live and work."
Several local and state officials celebrated the news following
the announcement:
"For over 120 years, Coca-Cola UNITED has been a stand-out
member of Birmingham's business
community, so it's wonderful to see this world-class company make a
major investment to build a new headquarters facility in the Magic
City," Alabama Governor
Kay Ivey said. "Coca-Cola UNITED's
landmark growth project will create new jobs in its home base in
Birmingham while also solidifying
the company's foundation in the city for decades to come – and
that's great news for all of Alabama."
"Coca-Cola UNITED's impressive new facility will become an
eye-catching gateway to Birmingham
and transmit the powerful signal that the Magic City is a great
place to do business," Alabama Commerce Secretary Ellen McNair said. "Launching this project, in
this particular location, perfectly exemplifies how this
world-class company is giving back to its community."
"Coca-Cola Bottling Company United is the definition of a legacy
business in Birmingham. Having
been in our community and a part of its growth for more than 100
years gives me great pleasure to see the city play a significant
role for future generations. This investment is great for
Birmingham, our region and our
state," said Birmingham Mayor
Randall Woodfin.
"This project, from one of the most recognizable brands in the
world, marks a transformative milestone for our
community. I'm excited for this development and how
it will breathe new life into an abandoned site that has been a
point of contention for our residents," said Birmingham City
Councilor and Community Development Committee Chair JT Moore, whose
district will include the new construction. "I know that this will
be a major economic generator for the city; not only that but it's
located right in the heart of District 4 and a community that will
greatly benefit from the new opportunities, community engagement
and potential job creation."
"Jefferson County is pleased to
be a contributing partner to this move and expansion," said
Jefferson County Commission
President Jimmie Stephens. "We are
proud of the accomplishments and truly appreciate the confidence
that Coke United has in our great city and county. This investment
was brought to fruition by working through our governmental
partners and the great leadership at Coke United. Together, we make
great things happen."
"Coca-Cola Bottling Company United, Inc.'s (UNITED) commitment
to providing livable wage jobs, economic and community development
opportunities in Jefferson County,
the city of Birmingham and the
region has been nothing short of amazing," said Jefferson County Commissioner Lashunda Scales, who represents the district in
which the company will reside. "When you think of a holistic
community partner, I immediately think of Coca-Cola Bottling
Company United, Inc."
"On behalf of the Kingston
Neighborhood Association, I'm thrilled to welcome Coca-Cola UNITED
to our community," said Association President Brenda Holifield. "Their arrival not only brings
new opportunities but also strengthens the fabric of our
neighborhood, encouraging growth and camaraderie among residents
and businesses alike."
The new facility will include a 150,000-square-foot multi-floor
office complex and a 300,000-square-foot warehouse featuring the
leading-edge Vertique case picking system that is among the most
advanced in the beverage industry. Coca-Cola UNITED has invested in
Vertique technology at six of its locations, including Mobile in
2021.
"We have seen the benefits first-hand of Vertique in our other
facilities," Suco said. "The system improves the process of
fulfilling customer orders and puts less stress on our
associates."
The new facility, which along with its famous trademark will be
highly visible to traffic along Interstate 20/59, will house the
Birmingham Coca-Cola sales center as well as Coca-Cola UNITED's
Corporate, Central Region and North Alabama Division headquarters –
the latter of which supports the company's operations in
Carbon Hill, Cullman, Florence, Oxford and Tuscaloosa.
The company's Classic Food and Vending arm, customer solutions
center and services department will also be based in the new
facility.
The iconic Coca-Cola brand made its way to the Magic City in
1902 when businessman and community philanthropist Crawford Johnson
Sr. opened Birmingham Coca-Cola with a staff consisting of one
associate and a mule named Bird. Johnson and his family went on to
open and acquire several bottling franchises throughout the
Southeast, and in 1974, the company was incorporated as Coca-Cola
UNITED. The company has operated out of its current facility at
4600 East Lake Blvd. since 1979.
For renderings, photos, B-roll, and the fact sheet of the new
campus, please click here.
About Coca-Cola Bottling Company United,
Inc.
Coca-Cola Bottling Company United, Inc., founded in
1902 and headquartered in Birmingham,
Alabama, is the second largest privately held Coca-Cola
bottler in North America and the
third largest bottler of Coca-Cola products in the U.S. Now with
its fifth generation of family working in the business, Coca-Cola
UNITED has more than 10,000 associates located in more than 50
facilities across six southeastern states (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee). Historically significant
franchises within our Coca-Cola UNITED family include Chattanooga, the world's first Coca-Cola
bottler; Atlanta, home of the
worldwide Coca-Cola System; and Columbus, Georgia, development site of the original
Coca-Cola formula.
Coca-Cola UNITED is engaged in the production, marketing, and
distribution of a diverse portfolio of leading sparkling
(Coca-Cola®, Diet Coke®, Coke Zero Sugar®, Dr Pepper®, Sprite® and
Fanta®) and still (smartwater®, vitaminwater®, Dasani®, POWERADE®,
BODYARMOR®, Fairlife®, Gold Peak®, Monster® and Minute Maid®)
non-alcoholic brands under exclusive franchise agreements
principally with The Coca-Cola Company® and Keurig Dr
Pepper®.
For more than 120 years, Coca-Cola UNITED has remained true
to its foundational core values of Quality, Excellence, Integrity
and Respect. Local relationships, personalized customer service and
strong community engagement have been the foundation of our
business for more than a century. Each year, millions of dollars
are invested in our local communities, supporting education,
community development, sustainability and nonprofit organizations
that empower and impact those in need. Learn more at
cocacolaunited.com and follow us on
Facebook, Instagram and
X (formerly Twitter).
Contact: Cassandra Mickens, Coca-Cola UNITED
CassandraMickens@ccbcu.com
(205) 612-6779
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SOURCE Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED, Inc.