The Coca-Cola Bottling Company United—Independent From Parent Coca Cola Co— to Invest $330 Million in New Alabama Facility
Coca-Cola Bottling Company United, Inc. (UNITED) has announced a major investment of $330 million to build a state-of-the-art facility in Birmingham’s Kingston community
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{TheChronicle.cc} –Coca-Cola Bottling Company United, Inc. (UNITED) has announced a major investment of $330 million to build a state-of-the-art facility in Birmingham’s Kingston community. This project is expected to create up to 50 new jobs and retain over 750 existing positions in the city.
The new facility will be located on the former Stockham Valves and Fittings site on 40th Street North, just two miles from UNITED’s current location on East Lake Boulevard.
Mike Suco, President and CEO of Coca-Cola UNITED, expressed his excitement about the project. “Our story began more than 120 years ago in Birmingham, and with this investment, our story will continue for years to come,” said Suco.
The complex will serve Jefferson County and 11 surrounding counties, reinforcing Coca-Cola UNITED’s presence in the region.
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey praised the investment, emphasizing the company’s long-standing relationship with Alabama. “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,” said Governor Ivey.
Alabama Commerce Secretary Ellen McNair also highlighted the significance of the new facility. “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,” said Secretary McNair. “Launching this project in this particular location perfectly exemplifies how this world-class company is giving back to its community.”
The new facility will include a 150,000-square-foot multi-floor office complex and a 300,000-square-foot warehouse featuring the advanced Vertique case picking system, which enhances order fulfillment efficiency. This technology is already in use at other Coca-Cola UNITED locations, such as Mobile.
Visible to traffic along Interstate 20/59, the facility will house the Birmingham Coca-Cola sales center and serve as headquarters for Coca-Cola UNITED’s Corporate, Central Region, and North Alabama Division operations. It will also accommodate the company’s Classic Food and Vending arm, customer solutions center, and services department.
Coca-Cola UNITED has been a Birmingham staple since 1902, when Crawford Johnson Sr. opened the first bottling operation with one associate and a mule named Bird. The company, incorporated as Coca-Cola UNITED in 1974, has operated from its current East Lake Boulevard location since 1979. This new investment marks a significant milestone in the company’s ongoing commitment to the Birmingham community and its future growth.
