Coke Consolidated Opens 81 Million Customer Care Center

CHARLOTTE, NC -- Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated is beginning a new chapter in its 113-year history with the grand opening of a state-of-the-art customer care center here. The nation's largest independent Coca-Cola bottler moved into the 71,280-sq.ft. facility, a once-vacant warehouse, on West W.T. Harris Blvd. at the end of October. The center handles customer calls, about 2.2 million annually.

The $8.1 million state-of-the-art facility features "quiet rooms" where employees can unwind, color-coded workstations, and desks that easily convert from a traditional seated position to a standing desk. There are numerous casual meeting and "breakout pods" throughout the facility to encourage a collaborative work environment. The breakroom has a pool table, gaming station, multiple televisions and a canteen stocked with grab-and-go lunch options, snacks and beverages.

Of the 2,000 Charlotte-based employees, 183 employees currently work at the customer care center. Coke Consolidated anticipates that the new facility will eventually have a total of 300 employees.

North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory joined Coca-Cola officials, civic and community leaders and key customers at an open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony.

"This grand opening is reflective of CCBCC's dedication to serving Charlotte and North Carolina," Gov. McCrory said. "CCBCC is not only a good employer, it is a good corporate citizen that cares about the people it serves."

Coca-Cola Consolidated traces its history back to April of 1902 when Charlotte Coca-Cola Bottling Co. opened as North Carolina's first bottling plant. The company operates primarily in the Southeast.