[ Photography by Will Crooks ]
Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday to celebrate its $13.5 million regional sales and distribution center in Piedmont.
“We are very pleased and proud to be here in Anderson,” said Alison Patient, senior director of corporate affairs for Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated.
The opening comes a year after the Charlotte-based company announced its plans to relocate from its distribution center at 1068 Holland Road in Simpsonville.
In 2013, Coca-Cola entered negotiations with Anderson County to select a site for relocation. The county offered at least 30 years of tax breaks, and the company purchased a 36-acre site just off S.C. Highway 86. It relocated in the spring.
The 150,000-square-foot distribution center — located at 125 Old Williamston Road — features a 105,000-square-foot warehouse for distribution, storage and equipment repairs. It features 22 stations for distribution and incoming products.
.@CocaCola used a #drone to celebrate the opening of its distribution center in Anderson. @upstatebiz #biznews pic.twitter.com/E6fQxrBFT0
— Andrew Moore (@andrewmooreUBJ) June 23, 2016
The building has much more space than its 74,450-square-foot predecessor. That could increase distribution. The company distributed 8.5 million cases last year. It is expected to distribute about 9 million cases this year, said logistics manager Brent Bates.
The company distributes more than 60 beverage varieties to 14 South Carolina counties, including Anderson and Greenville, and some northern Georgia counties.
The increased distribution created 147 jobs. Most are filled, but the company is still searching for warehouse associates. The facility currently houses 230 employees.
“We couldn’t be happier. After all, one of Coca-Cola’s popular slogans is ‘Choose Coke,’ and now we have bragging rights — Coke chose Anderson County,” said Anderson County Councilman Kenneth Waters.
It also includes a 45,000-square-foot regional sales office and 60-person training room that is equipped with a projector.
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The opening of the distribution and sales center is expected to generate an estimated $12.7 million economic impact in its first year, according to county officials.
That could become more substantial in the future as production increases.
“I’m not sure when it’s going to happen, but another 100,000 square feet is planned for the warehouse,” said manager Rodney Blassingame. “We’ll be distributing much more.”
For more information, visit www.cokeconsolidated.com
