Coca-Cola Consolidated Is Bottling Opportunity and Purpose
Coca-Cola Consolidated, founded in Greensboro, North Carolina, in 1902, has stood as a beacon of excellence in the beverage industry for over a century and has grown into the largest Coca-Cola bottler in the United States. The company is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, and operates across 14 states and Washington, D.C., serving approximately 60 million consumers. Its unwavering commitment to community development, innovative career pathways and operational excellence makes Coca-Cola Consolidated a true model of success.
At the heart of Coca-Cola Consolidated is a clear purpose: “To honor God in all we do. To serve others. To pursue excellence. To grow profitably.” These guiding principles are reflected in the Company’s investment in both its workforce and the communities it serves. Between 2019 and 2023, Coca-Cola Consolidated made company-funded investments totaling $228.4 million in North Carolina alone, where it employs 4,560 teammates across 13 facilities.
Todd Miller, a key leader at Coca-Cola Consolidated, emphasized the importance of community and culture in its operations: “When we think about our employee value promise, we want to make sure that people feel valued. They feel supported. They are inspired to come to work every day. And we want to make sure that we reward them.”
Coca-Cola Consolidated has embraced a forward-thinking strategy to recruit, retain, and develop servant leaders who drive the Company’s growth and performance. Its talent strategy includes early career programs such as internships, rotational programs and apprenticeships. These programs are designed to offer participants meaningful opportunities to learn, grow and excel in their chosen fields.
The apprenticeship program, described by Timothy Duhart, a diesel mechanic, exemplifies the Company’s commitment to enabling career transitions. Timothy, a former truck driver, found a new path as a diesel mechanic through Coca-Cola Consolidated’s “Earn While You Learn” initiative. He shared his experience: “I got into the program, and lo and behold, they offered to put me through school and hire me so I can work. It’s just been everything I’ve been wanting … This place provides an excellent opportunity for you to get started.”
Beyond apprenticeships, Coca-Cola Consolidated offers full-time careers with robust opportunities for professional development, accelerated leadership programs and career mobility. As Todd Miller remarked, “We think about teammate development and growth… When you think about talent development, learning and development, career planning—that is my Team’s responsibility at the organization.”
Community engagement is a cornerstone of Coca-Cola Consolidated’s operations. The Company actively partners with high schools, community and technical colleges, universities, and organizations supporting military veterans to create pathways for growth and success.
As Todd Miller noted, “Being headquartered in the state of North Carolina is really important to us. We have facilities all over the state … It’s an important aspect of how we show up and produce. How do we show up and share that we care about the communities that we serve?”
Coca-Cola Consolidated continues to push boundaries with innovations in warehouse automation and manufacturing. While some may fear that automation could eliminate jobs, Todd Miller sees it differently: “The reality is that it’s an opportunity for growth … Maybe you start in a manual picking area, but maybe you have the desire and knowledge to learn automation. There’s technical skills and digital skills that are important.”
The Company’s forward-thinking approach to automation underscores its commitment to empowering its workforce with the tools and training needed to thrive in a dynamic environment. As Todd aptly put it, “For 125 years, we need individuals to come into our organization, help us think about how we can do it better and how we can do it more efficiently.”
As Coca-Cola Consolidated continues to grow, its dedication to fostering a positive work culture remains unwavering. With 17,000 teammates across its operations, the Company embodies teamwork, innovation and shared success.
For Timothy, the opportunities at Coca-Cola Consolidated have been transformative: “I enjoy it a lot because it’s a lot of problem solving. You see different issues with trucks and trailers needing to be maintained. And now that I’m a Teammate, I see all the possibilities this place has to offer for me to grow.”
Whether through career development, community investments, or advancements in technology, Coca-Cola Consolidated exemplifies what it means to honor its commitment to excellence while uplifting its people and communities. Its legacy of success is set to continue, driven by servant leadership and a commitment to growth.
Speaking on the Company’s impact in North Carolina, President and CEO of NC Chamber Gary Salamido echoed this sentiment: “What’s made in North Carolina makes North Carolina, and Coca-Cola Consolidated here is the model for what that looks like. It’s all about the people. It’s all about the culture and producing a premium product and giving people good jobs in communities all across our state.”