The Coca-Cola Company is introducing a new operating structure. From January 1st 2013 the global soft drinks giant will be organised around three major operating businesses – Coca-Cola International, which will consist of the company’s Europe, Pacific and Eurasia & Africa operations; Coca-Cola Americas, which will consist of the company’s North America and Latin America operations; and Bottling Investments Group (BIG), which oversees the company-owned bottling operations outside of North America.

Ahmet Bozer, currently president of the Eurasia & Africa Group, will be appointed president of Coca-Cola International. Steve Cahillane, currently president and chief executive of Coca-Cola Refreshments (CCR), will become president of Coca-Cola Americas. Irial Finan will continue as president of BIG. All three executives will continue to report to Muhtar Kent, chairman and chief executive.

“This is the right structure for the next phase of our journey toward achieving our 2020 Vision,” says Muhtar Kent. “Over the last couple of years, we have systematically been adapting our business model to better address the changing demands of the global marketplace. First, we addressed the issues facing our system in our flagship market through the acquisition of CCE North America. Second, we further built the relevance of BIG, evolving it from its initial role of fixing challenging markets to a more significant role in spearheading our progress in select strategic markets such as China and India.”

He continues: By consolidating leadership of our global operations under two large, but similar sized geographic regions and BIG, we will streamline reporting lines, intensify our focus on key markets and create a structure that leverages synergies and gives us flexibility to strategically adjust our business within those geographies in the future.”

The Coca-Cola Company and its bottling partners are to spend an additional $3 billion in India, increasing total invest in the country to $5 billion from 2012 to 2020. The investments will be in innovation, expansion of the distribution network, cold drink equipment placement and augmentation of manufacturing capacity.

The Coca-Cola system has already invested more than $2 billion in India since it re-entered the country in 1993. The Coca-Cola India system currently directly employs more than 25,000 people and is estimated to have created indirect employment for more than 150,000 people in related industries through its vast procurement, supply chain and distribution system.

“Achieving continued sustainable, responsible growth in India is core to achieving our 2020 Vision of doubling system revenues in this decade,” says Muhtar Kent, chairman and chief executive of The Coca-Cola Company.

Worldwide, The Coca-Cola Company and its bottling partners are investing more than $30 billion over the next five years to support anticipated growth. These investments range from new manufacturing facilities to new distribution systems to new marketing investments in emerging economies.

The board of The Coca-Cola Company has recommend a two-for-one stock split to shareowners. The split would be the 11th in the stock’s 92-year history and the first in 16 years.

“Our recommended two-for-one stock split reflects the board of directors’ continued confidence in the long-term growth and financial performance of our company,” explains Muhtar Kent, chairman and chief executive of The Coca-Cola Company. “Our system’s 2020 Vision to double our revenues over this decade provides a clear roadmap for creating value for our consumers, customers, bottling partners and shareowners. A stock split reflects our desire to share value with an ever-growing number of people and organisations around the world.”

Implementation of the stock split is subject to approval by shareowners of an increase in the number of authorised shares of the company’s common stock from 5.6 billion to 11.2 billion. These matters will be voted on at a special shareowners meeting anticipated to be held on July 10, 2012. If approved, the record date for the split is expected to be on or about July 27, 2012. Each shareowner of record on the close of business on the record date will receive one additional share of common stock for each share held. The new shares are expected to be distributed on or about August 10, 2012.

The Coca-Cola Company’s common stock began trading in 1919. Since its original listing, the stock has split 10 times – first in 1927 and most recently in 1996. With all dividends reinvested annually, one share of common stock purchased for $40 in 1919 would be worth approximately $9.8 million today. During the same time, The Coca-Cola Company’s market value has grown from approximately $20 million to more than $165 billion.

Earlier this year, the company also announced its 50th consecutive annual dividend increase, raising the quarterly dividend 8.5% from 47 to 51 cents per common share. This is equivalent to an annual dividend of $2.04 per share, up from $1.88 per share in 2011. The increase builds on the $8.6 billion the company returned to shareowners in 2011 through $4.3 billion in dividends and $4.3 billion in share repurchases.

The Coca-Cola Company has opened its 42 and largest bottling plant in China. Located in Yingkou, Liaoning, the new production facility spans an area of more than 170,000 square meters (42 acres), the represents a $160 million investment in China and is part of a three-year, $4 billion investment plan announced last year that underscores the Coca-Cola system’s confidence in China and its fast-growing beverage market.

Upon completion, this third bottling plant in Liaoning, operated by Coca-Cola Liaoning (Central) Beverages, is expected to reach an annual production capacity of more than 5 billion servings of sparkling and still beverages, including Coca-Cola, Sprite, Minute Maid and Ice Dew. Coca-Cola plans to invest in nine production lines at the new facility, with four currently in operation.

The plant will directly create 500 jobs and generate an additional 5,000 job opportunities in the supporting industries. Together with two other existing plants in Shenyang and Dalian, this new investment will allow Coca-Cola to provide better services and refreshing products to 44 million consumers in Liaoning Provinceand enhance its contribution to local development.

“This $160 million commitment to Yingkou is more than an investment in Coca‑Cola’s expansion to capitalize on the fast-growing China market. It is also an important step by Coca-Cola to assist in the development of local communities throughout China,” says Muhtar Kent, chairman and chief executive of The Coca-Cola Company. “China is a vast growth market for Coca-Cola. As we work to double the size of our global business in this decade, China will play a critical role.”

China is one of the fastest-growing markets for The Coca-Cola Company, with volume expanding by 13% in 2011, maintaining double-digit growth in nine of the last 10 years. Consumption of Coca-Cola products in China now represents approximately 8% of the company’s global volume. Coca-Cola announced last year that starting in 2012 it and its Chinese bottling partners will make a $4 billion investment in new infrastructure, partnerships, innovation, sustainability and brand building over the next three years.

The Coca-Cola Company has reported a 33% rise in net revenues to $46.54 billion and comparable currency neutral net revenues growth of 29% for 2011, reflecting the acquisition of Coca-Cola Enterprises’ former North America operations in the fourth quarter of 2010. Full year reported operating income grew 20% to $10.15 billion and comparable currency neutral operating income grew 12%.

The world’s largest soft drinks company achieved strong worldwide volume growth of 5% for the full year. Volume growth was well-balanced across the globe, with solid growth in key developed markets like North America, Japan and Germany and double-digit growth in key emerging markets such as India and China.

The company’s four-year productivity programme has been successfully completed, with annualised savings of over $500 million, exceeding the original target range of $400 to $500 million. The Coca-Cola Company is now launching a new ‘Productivity and Reinvestment’ programme with targeted annualised savings of $550 to $650 million by the end of 2015 as a natural extension of the company’s 2020 Vision development strategy.

Muhtar Kent, chairman and chief executive of The Coca-Cola Company.

Muhtar Kent, chairman and chief executive of  The Coca-Cola Company, comments: “The Coca-Cola Company continues its momentum toward realising our 2020 Vision, with stronger brands, clear strategies and well-focused execution to drive further growth. We once again achieved financial results for both the year and the quarter in line with, or ahead of, our long-term targets, with quarterly volume and revenue growth in every one of our five geographic operating groups. Importantly, we also continued to increase our global volume and value share in 2011.”

He continues: “Even as we believe that global market volatility will continue in the near term, the breadth of our global footprint and the strength of our brands create a resilient business that was built for times like these. As we enter into the third year of our 2020 Vision, our Roadmap for Winning Together remains clear. The assumptions that shaped our 2020 Vision have not changed. Our expectations for long-term, sustainable and balanced growth across emerging and developed markets have not wavered. And we will continue to make significant investments in our future all around the world to support the tremendous opportunity we see in nonalcoholic ready-to-drink beverages, one of the fastest growing segments in consumer packaged goods.”

The Coca-Cola Company and its Chinese bottling partners are to invest $4 billion in China over the next three years, commencing 2012. By the end of 2011, Coca-Cola and its China bottling partners (Swire Beverages and COFCO Coca-Cola Beverage) will have invested more than $3 billion in China over the last three years, bringing the total investment to $7 billion between 2009 and 2014 in the largest and fastest-growing consumer market in the world.

“China is one of our most important growth markets in the world as we work to achieve our 2020 Vision goal of doubling system revenues and servings this decade. The new investment is a part of our long-term commitment to invest in innovation, partnerships and a portfolio that will enable us to grow our business in a sustainable and responsible way,” says Muhtar Kent, chairman and chief executive of The Coca-Cola Company. “Besides our infrastructure and capabilities, the new investment will also focus on enhancing the consumer experience, ensuring product affordability and building brand loyalty which deliver sustainable growth.”

Muhtar Kent, chairman and chief executive of The Coca-Cola Company.

In its second quarter 2011 financial results, Coca-Cola posted strong worldwide volume growth of 6% in both the quarter and year-to-date, with growth across all five geographic operating groups, including in China.

“In the first six months of 2011, sales in China topped 1 billion unit cases – double the rate sold five years ago when the company first delivered 1 billion unit cases for a full year. China had an outstanding performance in the latest quarter, supported by strong growth in the Coca-Cola brand and Minute Maid Pulpy, the number one juice brand in China,” he says. “These achievements are driven by a renewed focus on core brands, continued distribution gains and expansion of cold drink equipment, all made possible by our continued investment and dedicated execution over the years.”

The Coca-Cola China system opened five plants in Urumqi, Nanchang, Wuhan, Luohe and Hohhotin 2009-2010. In 2011, the system has already opened a new plant in Sanshui (Guandong province), will open another plant in Yingkou (Liaoningprovince), and break ground on a new plant inShijiazhuang(Hebeiprovince) later this year.

With the recently opened plants, the Coca-Cola system now operates more than 40 plants in China employing more than 48,000 people. Consumption of Coca-Cola products in China now represents approximately 7% of the company’s global volume.

To mark the 125th anniversary of its flagship Coca-Cola brand on May 8th, The Coca-Cola Company has embarked upon an extensive series of innovative, cultural events and exclusive collaborations throughout the year and around the globe.

“We would not have reached this milestone without those who love our brands, because everyone who has enjoyed a Coca-Cola in the past 125 years has played a part in helping us refresh the world,” says Muhtar Kent, chairman and chief executive of The Coca-Cola Company. “Throughout this year, we want to celebrate by thanking the people around the globe who have made the brand what it is today. To our associates, customers, partners and everyone who loves Coca-Cola, we thank you.”

In addition to music, art and entertainment events, the 125th anniversary milestone, will also be celebrated by the release of limited edition packaging in select markets around the world. Worldwide, people can now enjoy the Coca-Cola heritage archives through the new Virtual Museum, an online 360-degree tour of the never-before-seen Coca-Cola archives.

While celebrating the history of its famous brand, The Coca-Cola Company is also looking to the future through its 2020 Vision development strategy with its bottling partners. As part of the 2020 Vision, the company plans to double its system revenue from 2010 to 2020 thus accomplishing in ten years what has taken the first 125. The company has also set sustainability goals as part of its commitment to being a good steward of the environment and a partner with communities around the world.

Coca-Cola was created on May 8th, 1886 in Atlanta, Georgia by Dr John S Pemberton and first served at Jacob’s Pharmacy.

The Coca-Cola Company and HJ Heinz have announced a strategic partnership that enables Heinz to produce its ketchup bottles using Coca-Cola’s breakthrough PlantBottle packaging. The PET plastic bottles are made partially from plants and have a lower reliance on non-renewable resources compared with traditional PET plastic bottles. The partnership is an industry-first, and one that both companies hope others will follow to transform how food is packaged around the world.

PlantBottle packaging looks, feels and functions just like traditional PET plastic, and remains fully recyclable. The only difference is that up to 30% of the material is made from plants. The plant material is produced through an innovative process that turns natural sugars found in plants into a key component for PET plastic. Currently, PlantBottle is made using sugarcane ethanol from Brazil, the only source widely recognised by thought leaders globally for its unique environmental and social performance.

Muhtar Kent (left), chairman and chief executive of Coca-Cola, with William Johnson, chairman, president and chief executive of Heinz.

“PlantBottle is revolutionising plastic, and our partnership with Heinz is paving the way for industry-wide collaboration,” says Muhtar Kent, chairman and chief executive of Coca-Cola. “This partnership is a great example of how businesses are working together to advance smart technologies that make a difference to our consumers and the planet we all share.”

Heinz’s adoption of the PlantBottle technology will be the biggest change to its iconic ketchup bottles since they first introduced plastic in 1983.

“The partnership of Coca-Cola and Heinz is a model of collaboration in the food and beverage industry that will make a sustainable difference for the planet,” adds William Johnson, chairman, president and chief executive of Heinz.

The launch of PlantBottle is another important step in Heinz’s global sustainability initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, solid waste, water consumption and energy usage at least 20% by 2015.

Coca-Cola first launched PlantBottle in 2009 on brands that include Coke, Sprite, Fresca, and Dasani water. By using PlantBottle packaging across multiple brands, the company is able to significantly reduce its dependence on non-renewable resources. An initial life-cycle analysis conducted by Imperial College London showed that the use of PlantBottle packaging provides a 12-19% reduction in carbon impact.

Having achieved solid worldwide volume growth of 5%, Coca-Cola has reported a 3% increase in operating income to $8.4b for 2010 on net revenue ahead by 13% to $35.1b. Comparable currency neutral net revenue was ahead by 14% to $34.5b, reflecting 5% growth in concentrate sales, 1% positive price/mix and an 8% benefit from structural changes, arising from the acquisition of Coca-Cola Enterprises’ North American bottling business. On a currency neutral basis, operating income was up by 11%.

The CCE acquisition is expected to yield 2011 cost synergies of $140-150m. This is in addition to the $150m in annual synergies previously identified in North America. Productivity initiatives are well on track and on plan to achieve the group’s target of $500m in annualised savings by year-end 2011.

Muhtar Kent, chairman and chief executive of Coca-Cola.

In Europe reported net revenue for the full year increased 1%, with 1% positive price/mix and the impact of structural changes partially offset by a 2% currency impact. Full-year concentrate sales were even. Full-year reported operating income increased 1% and comparable currency neutral operating income increased 3% due to positive revenue growth and continued tight management of operating expenses.

“Now, as we enter 2011, we do so with solid momentum. This year marks the 125th anniversary of Coca-Cola, and the second year of our 2020 Vision,” says Muhtar Kent, chairman and chief executive of Coca-Cola. “The fact that we are a thriving business after nearly 125 years is a testament to our youth, not our age. There is something special indeed about an enterprise that is in a state of constant renewal and dynamic growth. And while we recognise that challenges remain in our worldwide marketplace, we are confident that we are advancing our global momentum to deliver long-term sustainable growth and value for our shareowners.”

Coca-Cola has opened three new bottling plants in China worth a combined $240m, continuing its rapid expansion in one of the world’s largest and fastest growing beverage markets. The new investments are a part of Coca-Cola’s three-year $2b accelerated investment in China and the latest phase of Coca-Cola’s long-term commitment to its business in China.

Muhtar Kent, chairman and chief executive of Coca-Cola.

The investment is also aligned with the government’s call to develop the central and western areas of the country. The plants in Hohhot in Inner Mongolia, Luohe in Henan Province and Sanshui in Guangdong Province will locally produce beverages such as Coca-Cola, Sprite, Fanta, and Minute Maid to quench the thirst of consumers in those regions.

Coca-Cola now has more than forty bottling plants in China, having opened six during the past two years. “Our business has experienced strong growth year on year in China, which is now our third largest market. More importantly, the new plants in Inner Mongolia, Henan and Guangdong, will extend our competitive edge in China,” says Muhtar Kent, chairman and chief executive of Coca-Cola.