b'Beverage Industrys 2025 Bottler of the Year:Coca-Cola ConsolidatedAt the heart of communities are people and the organiza-tions and businesses that serve those people. In the beverage market, the bottlers in those communities might be directly serving the retailers and foodservice outlets, but ultimately, they are serving the consumers that pur-chase those products. With operations across 14 statesand Washington, D.C., Coca-Cola Consolidated under-stands it takes working together with its communities, customers and consumers to be successful in the competi-tive consumer packaged goods space. At Coca-Cola Consolidated, we strive to fulfill our purposeto honorThis past fall, Coca-Cola Consolidated and its teammates God in all we do, to serve others, to pursue excellence responded to the devastating impact caused by Hurricane and to grow profitably, says Dan Holmes, senior viceHelene in western North Carolina and neighboring states president of commercialization and brand marketing atby providing food and water, hygiene kits and baby Coca-Cola Consolidated. At the core of our culture is aessentials to help with cleanup, along with financial focus on service. Our teammates have a passion for servingsupport. The bottlers dedication to its communities aseach other along with our consumers, our customers andwell as its continued success are among the reasons that our communities.Coca-Cola Consolidated has been named Beverage As the largest Coca-Cola bottler in the United States, Industrys 2025 Bottler of the Year. Coca-Cola Consolidated makes, sells and distributesPositioned for success trademark beverages of The Coca-Cola Company, Atlanta, as well as its partner companies, for a portfolio totalingTo support its partners, Coca-Cola Consolidateds manu-more than 300 brands and flavors, Holmes notes. Servingfacturing facilities, distribution and warehouse centers are approximately 60 million consumers, Coca-Cola Consoli- equipped with the tools to keep evolving to meet the dateds operations are comprised of 11 manufacturingneeds of its consumers and customers. For instance, the facilities, 60 distribution and sales centers as well as itsbottler has adopted warehouse automation through the Charlotte, N.C.-based corporate offices. It also owns Reduse of the Vertique system. The state-of-the-art Vertique Classic Transportation, one the largest transportationsystem is a semi-automated solution that improves ware-providers in the United States, moving freight and provid- house productivity, efficiency, accuracy,ing fleet maintenance for Coca-Cola Consolidated andand working conditions, Holmes says. [It is] known as the some of todays most recognized brands, it shares. Thedistribution system of the future. The company also has Coca-Cola bottler also is known for its sustainabilityinvested in their teammates through modernizing tools to commitments. Coca-Cola Consolidateds commitment support their work. Through systems like Vertique, the to sustainability started with its long-standing partnercompany has modernized technology to allow for team-Charlotte Motor Speedway identifying opportunities formates to be more productive and efficient, the company recycling diversion and to encourage patrons of thesays. They have also upskilled teammates to take on new, Coca-Cola 600 to recycle aluminum and plastic bottles.higher-level roles, focusing on career growth, it adds. With This led the company to expand efforts across the city andso much of the year in store for 2025, Coca-Cola Consoli-its territory. Coca-Cola Consolidated works with customersdated has positioned itself to build upon its service and such as Clemson University, Spectrum Center, Nissansuccess.Stadium, Geodis Park and most recently Rupp Arena, toBeverage Industry educate consumers about recycling benefits, hostingMarch 7, 2025 collection events and programs throughout their territoryRead the article in its entirety here:and support in-venue closed loop systems to recyclebevindustry.com/articlesplastic bottles and aluminum cans.8'