Coca-Cola Consolidated Inc. of Charlotte, North Carolina, on Thursday unveiled $25 million in upgrades to its manufacturing facility in West Memphis.
The addition of a state-of-the-art bottling line will allow the bottling company to increase production from 26 million cases to 29 million cases per year. The facility leverages new equipment and blow mold technology, a high-speed, automated process that uses heat and compressed air to form full bottles.
With the new equipment, bottle sizes can be easily customized, improving worker efficiency, Coca-Cola Consolidated said in a news release. The West Memphis facility is also one of the company’s first to roll out new lighter-weight bottles and bottle designs that require less raw material to produce. All 20-ounce Coca-Cola products will be made from 100% recycled plastic at the facility.
The company is adding 19 jobs as part of the expansion, growing its statewide workforce of more than 580 employees.
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and West Memphis Mayor Marco McClendon were among those who toured the production center at a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday.
“Coca-Cola Consolidated is not only the largest Coca-Cola bottler in the country, but even more important than their success is their commitment to faith, family and values-based leadership,” Sanders said in a statement. “They have been a consistent community partner in West Memphis, and this $25 million expansion only promises to grow that partnership.”
Coca-Cola Consolidated acquired the West Memphis facility from The Coca-Cola Co. in 2017 for nearly $3.4 million. Two years, later the company announced a $33 million, 200,000-SF expansion.
The company has contributed $438 million in economic activity to the state and supported more than 7,300 jobs, according to the release.
“Their continued investment in our community not only strengthens our local economy but also showcases the innovation and forward-thinking that make West Memphis a prime location for manufacturing and technology,” West Memphis Mayor Marco McClendon said. “This expansion is a testament to the strong partnership between Coca-Cola Consolidated and our city. This is another victory in West Memphis’ winning streak, and I look forward to the lasting impact it will have on our community’s growth and success.”
The company also announced a $1.2 million contribution to Arkansas community programs in partnership with The Coca-Cola Co., bottling partners, The Coca-Cola Foundation and the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation.
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