The Coca-Cola plant in Tonawanda, and its territory here in Western New York, is now set to become part of Coca-Cola of Northern New England.
It's all part of a restructuring plan that would eliminate manufacturing at the Tonawanda plant, but the sales and distribution side of the business would continue here in the Buffalo area.
The Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Buffalo employs 180 people, and company officials say there will be minimal job losses.
Here's a statement released by the company.
"As part of The Coca-Cola Company's larger North American refranchising plan, ABARTA Coca-Cola has reached letters of intent to transfer its Buffalo, NY, territory to Coca-Cola of Northern New England. While ABARTA plans to restructure operations in Buffalo, Coca-Cola Northern New England has indicated that they intend to continue to operate the sales and distribution facility in Buffalo. The impact on jobs is expected to be minimal as the vast majority of Buffalo employees work in distribution or sales. It is expected that many employees who currently work in production will shift to other positions. The Coca-Cola Company and its bottling partners are committed to continuing our involvement with the Greater Buffalo community. These changes only involve a restructuring of operations."
Here's some background on Coca-Cola's history here in Western New York.
The Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Buffalo, Inc. is a manufacturing, service and distribution company located in Tonawanda, NY. It is a member of the Coca-Cola Bottlers' Association that was founded in 1975 and has been owned by ABARTA, Inc. since 1980.
Under the direction of Rick Horn Jr., Vice President & General Manager, the plant employs more than 180 people. Our territory consists of eight counties: 100 percent of Erie and Niagara along with parts of Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Wyoming, Orleans, Genesee and Allegheny.
The Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Buffalo was named by Business First to be one of the "Best Companies To Work For In Western New York" and has won ABARTA'S "President's Award for Innovation" in 2005, 2007, 2012 & 2014.
