Coca-Cola Bottling Company United is planning a nearly $330 million investment in a multifaceted Birmingham Coca-Cola facility in the Kingston community. The facility is expected to create up to 50 jobs and retain more than 750 jobs in the Magic City.
In 2013, Coca-Cola UNITED purchased the land of the former Stockham Valves and Fittings site on 40th Street North, about two miles from its current location off East Lake Boulevard, in the hopes of one day building a new facility.
Coca-Cola UNITED President and CEO Mike Suco said those hopes have since become a highly anticipated and welcome reality.
“Our story began more than 120 years ago in Birmingham, and with this investment, our story will continue for years to come,” he said. “Today’s announcement reflects our long-standing commitment to our associates, our customers and the communities we have the honor of serving.
“It is through our strong relationships that we have arrived at this defining moment in our company’s history, and we are grateful to our local and state officials and partners for their support in our continued success.”
Coca-Cola UNITED Board Chairman Conrad W. Rafield III said the investment is a testament to Birmingham Coca-Cola associates and the community. Birmingham Coca-Cola employs approximately 800 associates and services Jefferson County and 11 other surrounding counties.
“This project has been years in the making and we are excited to build a campus that will reflect our foundational core values of quality, excellence, integrity and respect,” he said. “We are incredibly proud of the relationships and partnerships we’ve forged in the greater Birmingham area through the years, and we remain committed to being good stewards and neighbors in the communities where we live and work.”
The new facility will include a 150,000 square-foot multi-floor office complex and a 300,000 square-foot warehouse. It will also house the Birmingham Coca-Cola sales center as well as Coca-Cola UNITED’s Corporate, Central Region and North Alabama Division headquarters.
The company’s Classic Food and Vending arm, customer solutions center and services department will also be based in the new facility.
“For over 120 years, Coca-Cola UNITED has been a stand-out member of Birmingham’s business community, so it’s wonderful to see this world-class company make another major investment to build a new headquarters facility in the Magic City,” said Gov. Kay Ivey. “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 – and that’s great news for all of Alabama.”
Ellen McNair, secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce, said UNITED’s investment project will have a long-lasting impact on Birmingham’s economy and its image as a commercial center.
“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,” she said. “Launching this project, in this particular location, perfectly exemplifies how this world-class company is giving back to its community.”
The iconic Coca-Cola brand made its way to the Magic City in 1902 when businessman and community philanthropist Crawford Johnson Sr. opened Birmingham Coca-Cola with a staff of one associate and a mule named Bird.
Johnson and his family went on to open and acquire bottling franchises throughout the Southeast, and in 1974, the company was incorporated as Coca-Cola UNITED.
The company has operated out of its current facility East Lake Boulevard since 1979.
