The Coca-Cola Company announced that Brian P. Kelley, currently president and general manager, Still Beverages and Supply Chain, Coca-Cola North America, has been appointed to lead the integration of The Coca-Cola Company's and Coca-Cola Enterprises' (CCE) North American operations.
The two companies recently announced that they entered into definitive agreements enabling The Coca-Cola Company to acquire CCE's North American bottling business, and for CCE to acquire The Coca-Cola Company's bottling operations in Norway and Sweden. In addition, CCE has the right to acquire The Coca-Cola Company's interest in its German bottler.
The closing of the transactions is expected to occur in the fourth quarter of this year and is subject to, among other things, regulatory and CCE shareholder approvals.
"Upon completion of our acquisition of CCE North America, we will create a North American business system that will best serve the unique needs of our flagship market and usher in a new era of winning for us and all of our partners. said Muhtar Kent, chairman and CEO, The Coca-Cola Company. "To realize this goal, we will need a disciplined, orderly and efficient approach to the integration and a comprehensive plan that can be implemented immediately once the acquisition is approved and closed.
To lead this work, Kelley has been appointed president, North America Business Integration (NABI). Over the next few months, Kelley and his team will develop a detailed plan of action to effectively integrate four business components in both the U.S. and Canada: 1) CCE North America; 2) CCNA Foodservice; 3) the Minute-Maid/Odwalla Juice business; and 4) CCNA Supply Chain Operations.
Upon closing, the combined business in the U.S. will be called Coca-Cola Refreshments USA Inc. (CCR). The combined business in Canada will be conducted through its subsidiary, Coca-Cola Refreshments Canada Ltd. (CCRC). The president and chief executive officer of CCR will be announced in the near future and will report directly to Kent.
In addition to planning for the post-closing creation of CCR, Kelley and his team will also develop a plan for the appropriate reshaping of The Coca-Cola Company's remaining North America business components, primarily consisting of Consumer Marketing plus Franchise Leadership for its independent bottlers. This plan will be implemented after closing.
Kelley will report to the North America Business Integration Team Steering Committee, which will be chaired by Kent and include the following executives:
- Steve Cahillane, president, CCE North America
- Alex Cummings, chief administrative officer, The Coca-Cola Company
- Sandy Douglas, president, Coca-Cola North America
- Gary Fayard, chief financial officer, The Coca-Cola Company
- Irial Finan, president, Bottling Investment Group, The Coca-Cola Company
- Clyde Tuggle, senior vice president, Global Public Affairs and Communications, The Coca-Cola Company
The Steering Committee will set overall direction, approve staffing of the NABI team, monitor progress against targets and approve major decisions.
Kelley will assemble immediately a full-time, dedicated integration team consisting of executives of The Coca-Cola Company and CCE. These appointments will be announced shortly.
"An integration of this magnitude requires a very thoughtful, planned and disciplined approach," said Kent. "Brian is the ideal leader for this work. Over his 27-year career, he has consistently led and grown businesses, executed large transactions, redefined corporate strategy and led large, winning organizations. I have every confidence he and his team will drive a smooth and seamless integration."
Since 2007, Kelley has successfully led Coca-Cola North America's $6 billion Still Beverages business unit. He has also been responsible for the CCNA Supply Chain, which includes 23 company-owned plants, 30 co-packer facilities and more than 60 logistics warehouses.
About The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Company is the world's largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with nearly 500 sparkling and still brands. Along with Coca-Cola, recognized as the world's most valuable brand, the company's portfolio includes 12 other billion dollar brands, including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply and Georgia Coffee. Globally, the company is the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, juices and juice drinks and ready-to-drink teas and coffees. Through the world's largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the company's beverages at a rate of nearly 1.6 billion servings a day.
