News Release: Coca-Cola UNITED Invests $35 Million In New Regional Distribution and Equipment Refurbishment Center to Better Serve Customers Montgomery, Alabama, May 10, 2016 - Today, Montgomery Coca-Cola Bottling Company dedicates its new, state-of-the-art $35 million distribution center and warehouse located at 4919 Westport Boulevard in Montgomery, Alabama. As a division of Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED, Inc. ("Coca-Cola UNITED") since November of 2014, Montgomery Coca-Cola has added 63 jobs to the workforce and now employs 310 local associates with an annual payroll of approximately $13 million.
Since 1903, Montgomery Coca-Cola has bottled and distributed Coca-Cola brands and a wide variety of other non-alcoholic beverages to include Dr Pepper. The addition of the state-of-the art regional distribution center further enables Montgomery Coca-Cola to continue providing excellent customer service to over 4,000 customers in the in the River Region and throughout counties in Central and South Alabama. The new facility will also improve the working environment for all Montgomery Coca-Cola associates. The 855,000 square-foot facility includes: 42,000 square-foot administration space, 10,500 square-foot fleet maintenance area and a 100,000 square-foot Equipment Refurbishment Center to service over 32,000 vending machines, coolers and fountain units for 35 territories in 7 southeastern states across the Coca-Cola UNITED franchise.
Montgomery Coca-Cola has a capacity to warehouse over 2 million cases of approximately 675 non-alcoholic beverages, which includes over 200 no- or low-calorie options. The beverage portfolio is comprised of products from the following categories: soft drinks, bottled water, sports drinks, juices, milk drinks, energy drinks, teas and more. With 51 loading docks, Montgomery Coca-Cola distributes approximately 13 million cases of non-alcoholic beverages annually in the South Alabama Division of Coca-Cola UNITED. These markets include Dothan, Evergreen, and Montgomery, Alabama along with West Point, Georgia. In addition, the Montgomery warehouse loads all delivery vehicles for the Tuscaloosa Coca-Cola territory. The sales center also serves as the administrative headquarters for the South Alabama Division in the Central Region of Coca-Cola UNITED.
"Great brands and great people, coupled with our long-term commitment and presence in Montgomery allow us to deliver excellent customer service and the highest quality products to our consumers," said Claude Nielsen, Chairman of the Board, Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED, Inc. "This investment demonstrates our commitment to operating in Montgomery for another 100 years and speaks positively for the growth and favorable business climate in Central Alabama."
With over 113 years in the Montgomery area, Montgomery Coca-Cola continues to attribute their enduring presence to their local business operating model, which includes creating and cultivating strong relationships in both business and in community.
"What a great day this is for Montgomery Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola UNITED and for our entire community. We are certainly proud to count an organization of this caliber among our business partners," said Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange. "This new cutting-edge facility and the jobs it represents speak volumes about the opportunities that exist in Montgomery. We're grateful this company took advantage of those opportunities and had the vision to see that success happens when you do business here in the Capital of Dreams."
"Today we take this opportunity to not only say congratulations but to also say thank you for the many contributions this company is making in the River Region," said Montgomery County Commission Chairman Elton N. Dean Sr. "We have a great corporate citizen in Montgomery Coca-Cola, and we look forward to working together for the benefit of our community."
"By creating new jobs and investing in an advanced facility, Coca-Cola UNITED has made a significant contribution to the economic development of the River Region," said Montgomery Chamber Board Chairman A. Bruce Crawford. "We are grateful for their commitment to the growth and prosperity of our community, and we are honored to join them in this celebration."
"We couldn't be more optimistic about the potential growth of Montgomery and all the markets we serve," said Allen Smoot, South Alabama Division Director, Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED, Inc. "Coca-Cola UNITED's investment in this facility and expanded workforce is evidence of the support of our Montgomery team and the work we do every day." Allen added, "We are proud to continue our long tradition of being a positive economic influence through employment, community engagement, and excellent customer service in the places where we serve, live and work."
