Coca-Cola UNITED breaks ground on NEW $330M Birmingham facility

On June 13, Coca-Cola Bottling Company United Inc. (UNITED) broke ground on a brand-new facility in Birmingham’s Kingston community. The new facility is the result of a $330M investment from the 122-year-old company and will create up to 50 new jobs in The Magic City.

Read on to learn more about the groundbreaking and what’s next for the development.

Breaking ground on a massive new development

In May 2023, Coca-Cola UNITED announced its plans to build a new, state-of-the-art facility in Birmingham.

Founded in 1902 by Crawford Johnson Sr., Coca-Cola UNITED has since grown to become the second-largest privately held, family-owned company in Alabama and the third-largest Coca-Cola bottler in the country.

“While I have the honor of leading our company during this exciting chapter, this moment wouldn’t be possible without our past and present leadership, our community partners, our customers, our consumers, and last but not least, our associates.

Birmingham has been our home for 122 years, and Birmingham will remain our home well into the future.”

Mike Suco, President and CEO, Coca-Cola UNITED

Coca-Cola UNITED’s new facility will sit on the former Stockham Valves and Fittings site (4100 Richard Arrington Jr Blvd N) and will be highly visible to motorists along I-20/59. Once complete, the facility will house Coca-Cola UNITED’s:

• Corporate, Central Region and North Alabama Division headquarters
• Birmingham Coca-Cola sales center and warehouse
• Classic Food and Vending arm
• Customer solutions center and services department

In addition to Coca-Cola UNITED leadership, several local and state officials were in attendance, including:

• Alabama Governor Kay Ivey
• Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin
• District 4 Birmingham City Councilor J.T. Moore
• Jefferson County Commission President Pro-Tem Joe Knight
• District 1 Jefferson County Commissioner Lashunda Scales

“It’s important to recognize Coca-Cola UNITED’s journey here in Alabama, from a mule-drawn wagon to this state-of-the-art facility.

This new campus will create jobs, secure existing ones and further boost our economy.

I am proud that this community has made it easy for Coca-Cola UNITED to continue to call Birmingham its home.”

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey

A $330M investment in Birmingham

Over the next three years, Coca-Cola UNITED will invest approximately $330M into this new facility—a major boon to the Birmingham neighborhood of Kingston in which it is located.

“Kingston has a very, very sentimental value to me. My great-grandmother used to live on this street, and this is the neighborhood where I learned to skate and to play with friends and my siblings.

Today, nearly a decade after Coca-Cola UNITED originally purchased this site, we see that revitalization is not just a possibility for this neighborhood. It is upon us.”

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin

Birmingham City Councilor J.T. Moore, who represents District 4, spoke to the impact of the development on Kingston.

“Today is not just about breaking ground on this amazing new facility, but rather, it’s a groundbreaking day for the Kingston community and the people who live here.

It’s a celebration of hope, opportunity and progress for a neighborhood that has waited a long time for this kind of event.

The decision by Coca Cola Bottling Company UNITED to establish their new facility here is a testament to Kingston’s potential.”

 J. T. Moore, Birmingham City Councilor, District 4

Coming to Birmingham in 2027

Over the next three years, construction company Brasfield & Gorrie—the largest private company in the state of Alabama and another Birmingham company—will bring Coca-Cola UNITED’s new campus to life.

The facility is expected to open in 2027.

Excited to see construction begin on Coca-Cola UNITED’s new facility in Birmingham? Tag us @bhamnow to let us know your thoughts!