Coca-Cola sells production plants to overhaul US supply chain

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Global beverage giant Coca-Cola is planning to sell nine of its US-based production plants as part of new measures which will see the company cut costs significantly through creating a new supply system.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the plants in question will be sold to three of the country’s largest bottlers: Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated, Coca-Cola Bottling Company United, and Swire Coca-Cola USA.

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In a recent press release, Muhtar Kent, Coke’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer said: “Our U.S. operating model continues to become stronger, more aligned and more competitive. Today we are taking further action to enable profitable growth for our entire U.S. system

“We will leverage the strengths and capabilities of the four largest producing bottlers in our US system, CCR, Consolidated, United and Swire to operate as one highly aligned and highly competitive national product supply system.”

The company has been pursuing divestment since 2013, in which time it has sold off delivery trucks, warehouses and bottling assets.  

Read the September Issue of Supply Chain Digital. 

SOURCES: [Wall Street Journal; Fortune]