Coca-Cola UNITED Breaks Ground on $85 Million Investment in Macon, Georgia
Macon, Georgia (February 17, 2023) – Coca-Cola Bottling Company United, Inc. (UNITED) has officially broken ground on an $85 million investment to its Macon, Georgia facility as announced in December. Coca-Cola UNITED will expand its Macon Coca-Cola warehouse by approximately 260,000 square feet, as well as install the leading-edge Vertique warehousing system that is among the most advanced in the beverage industry.
“We are proud to call Mayor [Lester] Miller, the Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority, and other local and state officials, partners in our work to better serve our associates, customers, and communities,” said Macon Coca-Cola Sales Center Manager Eddie Cummins. “This expansion will enable us to provide a higher level of service and is a tangible example of our commitment to Macon-Bibb and surrounding areas for years to come.”
The investment into Coca-Cola UNITED’s Macon facility will focus on the expansion of the existing warehouse. This will include installing a state-of-the-art warehousing system, and optimizing distribution operations that will benefit associates, customers, and communities in the greater Macon area. The expansion is also expected to generate an estimated 50 new jobs added to the existing approximate 228.
“We’re honored that Coca-Cola Bottling Company United is leaning on our decades of industrial construction experience to expand this warehouse,” said Brasfield & Gorrie Vice President and Division Manager Michael Tortorici. “With more than 450 industrial projects under our belts, we’re energized by complex projects.”
The facility serves 18 counties, and sells and distributes about 7.2 million cases of Coca-Cola products annually.
“The impact Coca- Cola and other industries have on our city and state gives me a great sense of pride,” states Lester Miller, Mayor of Macon-Bibb County. “Working with Coca-Cola UNITED to expand their roots in our community shows our desire to have a business-friendly community that everyone can benefit from.”
Alongside local and state elected officials, community partners, and community leaders, the Coca-Cola Polar Bear was a special guest in attendance. A special “Cola-Cola toast” was the pinnacle of the event.
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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 wor
ld’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®, AHA® 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 commun
ity 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 Twitter.
About MBCIA
The Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority works with stakeholders on the local, state, and national levels to attract new business investment to Macon-Bibb County. The Authority and strategic community partners create a business-friendly climate that results in an increased tax base for the county. Catalyzing job growth and strengthening corporate infrastructure at its various industrial parks are vital elements to its longstanding, successful economic development record. To learn more, visit us on the web at www.mbcia.com or follow us on social @mbciauthority.
