Coca-Cola Bottling Company United Inc. (UNITED) officials and Macon-Bibb County officials have officially broken ground on an $85 million investment to its Macon facility on Feb. 28
The project, awarded to Alabama-based Brasfield & Gorrie, includes expanding the existing warehouse by approximately 26,000 sq. ft., installing a warehousing system and optimizing distribution operations that will benefit associates, customers and communities in Macon-Bibb County and surrounding areas. The expansion also is expected to generate approximately 50 new jobs.
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.
"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, Division Manager Michael Tortorici. "With more than 450 industrial projects under our belts, we're energized by complex projects."
The expansion is the latest chapter of Coca-Cola's 121-year history in Macon, where bottling operations began in 1902. Macon Coca-Cola joined the Coca-Cola United family of local bottlers in 2017. The facility serves 18 counties and sells and distributes about 7.2 million cases of Coca-Cola products annually.
Jack Sherman, director of Coca-Cola UNITED's Savannah River Division that includes Macon Coca-Cola and eight other sales centers in Georgia, added the expansion is part of Coca-Cola UNITED's strategic plan of investing in facilities across its six-state footprint.
"For 121 years, our business has been built on a strong foundation of family, service and community," Sherman said. "We've experienced tremendous growth over the past few years, and this expansion shows our optimism for this market and the state of Georgia for the future."
"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 impact Coca-Cola and other industries have on our city and state gives me a great sense of pride," said Macon-Bibb County Mayor Lester Miller. "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."
About Coca-Cola Bottling Company United Inc.
Coca-Cola Bottling Company United, Inc., founded in 1902 and headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., 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).
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 www.mbcia.com.
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