Chattanooga Coca-Cola Bottling Company has finalized plans to build a new distribution and sales facility in Hamilton County. As previously reported, the company plans to invest $62 million and create 43 new jobs.
According to Darren Hodges, division vice president for Chattanooga Coca-Cola Bottling Company, the company has purchased the former Olan Mills site located on West Shepherd Road near Highway 153.
The company plans to demolish the existing structures on the site and build a new 305,000 square foot distribution and sales facility with the goal of starting operations at the new facility in 16-18 months.
“Coca-Cola Bottling began in Chattanooga 115 years ago,” Hodges said. “We’re proud to reaffirm our commitment to this community by establishing a new distribution facility and regional offices.”
Chattanooga Coca-Cola currently employs approximately 484 people at its location on Amnicola Highway, which will continue to hold the bottling operation. The distribution facility and regional offices will be transferred to the new location. By establishing this new facility in Hamilton County, the company will retain 270 jobs that would have been moved elsewhere. Chattanooga Coca-Cola will also add 43 new jobs at the new location.
Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke applauded the company’s decision to re-use an existing industrial site. “Chattanooga Coca-Cola Bottling is creating new jobs while breathing new life into a vacant industrial property,” Mayor Berke said. “We will continue to work closely with the company to support them in becoming operational on the timetable they’ve set.”
“We’re proud to support Coca-Cola Bottling and keep them growing in Chattanooga,” said Mayor Coppinger. “Their continuing investment speaks to our strengths in providing an outstanding workforce as well as top-notch distribution infrastructure.
“Coca-Cola’s potential expansion in Chattanooga continues our city’s heritage as an ideal location for food and beverage manufacturers,” said Charles Wood, vice president of economic development at the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce. “The new distribution facility would create jobs and redevelopment, demonstrating the importance of existing industry expansion in our community.”
Wood also thanked David DeVaney of Charter Real Estate Company. “DeVaney has contributed substantially to this effort both in terms of identifying sites and completing due diligence to finalize the project.”
Coca-Cola Bottling Company United (CCBCU), parent company of Chattanooga Coca-Cola, has three production facilities and 19 distribution sales centers located in six Southeastern states. In the United States, they are the third largest bottler of Coca-Cola products and are the largest privately held Coca-Cola bottler employing a workforce of approximately 3,000 people.
Founded in 1902, CCBCU produces and distributes more than 750 beverages and over 100 million cases each year.