Coca-Cola Consolidated is pleased to announce a $25 million investment in our manufacturing facility in West Memphis, Arkansas. Through innovative sustainability processes and new technology, the facility can better serve our customers, the West Memphis community and the surrounding region. Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and West Memphis Mayor Marco McClendon were among local dignitaries who toured the production center at a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

We’re excited to grow in West Memphis,” said Steve Funderburke, VP of Manufacturing at Coca-Cola Consolidated. “This investment in our teammates and production capabilities is a long-term commitment to improving how we serve the world’s best brands and flavors to our communities.”

Sustainability Impact
With the addition of a state-of-the-art production line, Coke Consolidated will be able to increase production for our customers from 26 million to 29 million cases per year. The facility leverages new equipment and blow mold technology, which offers several benefits:

• Blow mold technology is a high-speed, automated process that uses heat and compressed air to form full bottles. This process starts with a small piece of 100% recycled plastic, called a preform, which is heated and expanded into a bottle. With the new equipment, bottle sizes can be easily customized, allowing workers to enhance production efficiency while producing a variety of sizes with fewer raw materials.
• The West Memphis facility now has expanded capabilities to produce bottles from start to finish, keeping the production process local. Instead of delivering bottles from outside of the area, trucks will deliver preforms to the production center.
• Additionally, the West Memphis facility is one of the first locations in Coke Consolidated’s footprint to roll out new lighter-weight bottles and bottle designs as part of a company-wide effort. Thanks to breakthrough innovations in modeling technology and industry-leading sustainability practices, trademark 20-ounce bottles are sporting new shapes that require less raw material to produce.

Customers will notice a few significant changes:

• All 20-ounce Coca-Cola^® Trademark products – including Coca-Cola® TM 20oz – Coke, Coke Zero Sugar, Cherry Coke, Cherry Coke Zero Sugar, Diet Coke, Vanilla Coke, Coke Spiced and Coke Spiced Zero Sugar – will be made from 100% recycled plastic, known as rPET (recycled polyethylene terephthalate).
• Additionally, different beverages will now have the same consistent look and feel. The transition to a consistent bottle design called the Harmony bottle will roll out across 12 and 20-ounce, as well as ½ liter bottles of specific brands. The new bottle design will include familiar fan favorites like Dr. Pepper, Fanta, Mello Yellow and Fresca.
• All brands are transitioning to lighter weight plastic bottles. Across the Coca-Cola Consolidated beverage portfolio, 12-ounce, 20-ounce and 500 mL products will use lighter weight plastic.

Job Growth and Economic Impact
Our West Memphis expansion also means workforce expansion. We are actively hiring 19 more people: 14 operators, two mechanics, two quality control workers and a forklift driver. The new hires will join teammates at the production center, who are among more than 580 Coke Consolidated employees statewide.

“Coca-Cola Consolidated is not only the largest Coca-Cola bottler in the country, but even more important than their success is their commitment to faith, family and values-based leadership,” said Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders. “They have been a consistent community partner in West Memphis, and this $25 million expansion only promises to grow that partnership.”

Coke Consolidated’s investment in our West Memphis plant is also an investment in Arkansas. Coke Consolidated has poured $438 million in economic activity into the state. We’ve procured more than $36 million in goods and services from Arkansas suppliers and have supported more than 7,300 jobs.

“West Memphis is proud to be home to Coca-Cola Consolidated’s expanded operations. Their continued investment in our community not only strengthens our local economy but also showcases the innovation and forward-thinking that make West Memphis a prime location for manufacturing and technology,” said West Memphis Mayor Marco McClendon. “This expansion is a testament to the strong partnership between Coca-Cola Consolidated and our city. This is another victory in West Memphis’ winning streak, and I look forward to the lasting impact it will have on our community’s growth and success.”

We, along with The Coca-Cola Company, bottling partners, The Coca-Cola Foundation and the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, have also contributed $1.2 million to Arkansas community programs. Coca-Cola Consolidated has hundreds of teammates working in three facilities across the state, serving more than 4,300 customers.