Alexandria is having a Coke and a smile. The Coca-Cola Bottling Company has announced that it’s investing more than $100 million to modernize and expand its warehouse and distribution operations in Alexandria. Louisiana Central President and CEO Chris Masingill says while Coca-Cola was looking at multiple locations in several states, they found that their best option was to stay put and add on to their existing facility.
“They were looking to make a pretty sizeable expansion, to really focus on automation and efficiency with their operations, and they recognized that the Alexandria operation fits what they really saw as the future of their work,” Masingill noted.
Masingill says this expansion underscores Coca-Cola’s commitment to its longtime home for decades to come.
“They’ve got an amazing operation here. They’ve been here for 120 years. I think that they saw an opportunity to double down on the very effective operation that they have here; invest in the current team that they have here,” Masingill explained.
Along with retaining the more than 2,100current positions, the expansion will result in 75 direct new jobs with an average salary of $65,000 a year. In all, it will result in more than 130 total new jobs when the indirect jobs are factored in. Masingill says in the long run, it made all the sense in the world for Coca-Cola to remain in central Louisiana.
“I think they saw the infrastructure and transportation that we have here, the connectivity that we have here in central Louisiana and Rapides Parish,” Masingill said.
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