TAMPA, Fla. -- Coca-Cola Beverages Florida LLC has closed a transaction with an affiliate of the Coca-Cola Co. to purchase nine distribution centers and four cold-fill production facilities in Florida.
Specifically, the Tampa, Fla.-based acquired:
- The distribution rights for brands owned and licensed by Coca-Cola Co. in four South Florida territories: Big Pine Key, Hollywood, South Dade and West Palm Beach.
- Production facilities in Hollywood and Tampa that produce a number of beverage brands, including Coca-Cola trademark brands Sprite, Fanta, smartwater and Dasani.
"We are all looking forward to greater engagement with our local customers and communities, and delivering consumers beverage offerings that are customized specifically for Florida," said Troy Taylor, chairman and CEO of Coca-Cola Beverages Florida.
This transaction closing is the last in a series of three by Coca-Cola Florida, all tied to its participation in the Coca-Cola system’s 21st Century Beverage Partnership Model, which is anchored in Atlanta-based Coca-Cola Co. selling its company-owned distribution territories and bottling operations to independent owner/operators.
The refranchising, announced in 2014, is designed to position the Coca-Cola Co. and its independent bottling partners to be more effective and agile in its responses to rapidly changing market dynamics and better in its service to consumers and customers through the creation of regional bottlers that are engaged locally, according to the company.
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