BALTIMORE, Md., June 05, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated announced a $10 million investment in its Baltimore manufacturing plant, located at 701 North Kresson Street. Mayor Catherine Pugh joined Company officials on a tour of the production center to learn more about the investment and manufacturing processes at the facility.

Coca-Cola Consolidated invests $10 million in Baltimore Manufacturing Plant     Canning line at Baltimore Coca-Cola Consolidated manufacturing center.     The Baltimore manufacturing center currently primarily makes 12 ounce canned carbonated soft drinks such as Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Sprite and Caffeine-free Diet Coke.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ef89a638-9365-410d-8183-b6b1b8b0fc75

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Coca-Cola Consolidated took over operations in Baltimore from Coca-Cola Refreshments on April 29, 2016. Coke Consolidated renovated the 154,000 square foot manufacturing center and made significant improvements to the site. The company also upgraded one of the canning lines to include 7.5 ounce and 12 ounce ‘sleek’ can products in the production line-up. The Baltimore manufacturing center currently primarily makes 12 ounce canned carbonated soft drinks such as Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Sprite and Caffeine-free Diet Coke.

“We are proud to celebrate Coca-Cola Consolidated’s investment in the Baltimore community,” said Mayor Pugh. “Any time a company invests and expands its operations here, it encourages job creation and the kind of economic development that will bring prosperity to the City.”

The Baltimore production facility currently employs 112 people, with more than 490 teammates in the wider Baltimore region. Coke Consolidated has a total of 10 facilities and more than 1,720 teammates in Maryland.

“Coke Consolidated is proud to invest in and serve the people of Baltimore. This investment reinforces our commitment to our Baltimore teammates and to providing this community the best beverages in the world,” said Coca-Cola Consolidated Plant Manager Reshawn Lowe.

Coca-Cola has a long history in Baltimore, with the production plant celebrating its 50^th anniversary last year. Baltimore Coke Consolidated teammates support the community through a variety of programs, such as donating more than 1,800 syrup drums to be used as recycling containers by local organizations like the Chesapeake Bay Alliance, Jones Fall Watershed, Baltimore Ravens and Washington Redskins. Teammates also support the United Way and Maryland Special Olympics annually, and helped revitalize the Cecil Kirk Recreation Center in July 2016 and the Fred B. Leidig Recreation Center in May of 2017.

About Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated
Coke Consolidated is the largest independent Coca-Cola bottler in the United States. Our Purpose is to honor God, serve others, pursue excellence and grow profitably. For 115 years, we have been deeply committed to the consumers, customers, and communities we serve and passionate about the broad portfolio of beverages and services we offer. We make, sell and distribute beverages of The Coca-Cola Company and other partner companies in more than 300 brands and flavors across 16 states to over 50 million consumers.

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Coke Consolidated is traded on the NASDAQ under the symbol COKE. More information about the company is available at www.cokeconsolidated.com. Follow Coke Consolidated on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Media Contact:
Brian Nick
Vice President
Communications
Coca-Cola Consolidated
704-620-7792
Brian.Nick@ccbcc.com