Corporate Par Excellence

                         THE COCO-COLA COMPANY

For all seasons

                   The Coco-Cola is the largest beverage company in the world. Its is also the world's largest manufacturer and marketer of non-alcoholic beverage concentrates. It offers more than 450 brands in over 200 countries. 

                                                                     Muhtar Kent
                                                               Chairman and CEO
                                                        The Coco_Cola Company

How it started

                 Coco-Cola  was invented in 1886 by Dr John Pemberton, a pharmacist in the  United States of America. Originally, coco leaves and cola nuts were used to give flavour to the drink.

Initially, Coco-Cola was sold ass patent medicine for five cents a glass at soda fountains. It was positioned as medicine that would cure dyspepsia, headache and impotence. The popular belief that  carbonated water is good for health actually helped its cause.  

In 1888 -  Asa Griggs Candler bought the rights of Coco-cola from James Pemberton and incorporated the Coco-Cola Company.

In 1894 -  Coco-Cola bottles appeared.

In 1955 - cans arrived.

During World War II, Coco-Cola set up bottling plants in new territories and ensured uninterrupted supplies of coco-cola to American soldiers on hte battle front. This made a strong bond the battle-weary soldiers. In fact, during  the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbour, empty Coco-Cola bottles were used to collect and store blood at the hospitals. 

Evolution of Coco-Cola

 

Secret Formula

                The formula is supposed to consist if seven items and hence called "7X" to signify its secret nature and is kept in a vault in Sun Trust Bank in Atlanda.

In 1919 - the 'Contour' bottle design of the Root Glass Company was accepted and patented. This packaging has helped  the brand in standing out in the cluster of soft drinks in the market.

Coco-Cola Vs PepsiCo 

In 1985 -  the fight against its arch-rival PepsiCo, Coco-Cola reintroduced coke as " New Coke" to give consumers  'a new taste'. The brand has been perennially engages in a marketing war with PepsoCo,  often referred to as " COLA WARS"

Coco_Cola in India

In 1977 - the Union Minister George Fernandez forced Coco-Cola to leave India as the company was not willing to divulge the details of the closely guarded secret formula of "7X".

In 1993 - The brand made its return to India.

Cola Controversy 

• When Coco-Cola entered for second time,  it bought the leading beverage brand " Thumps Up" from the Chauhans of Parle
• When an NGO laboratory tested samples from both these brands and found them to contain of pesticides. Life for the cola marketers was never easy after that.
• The kerala Government introduced legislation that held the Coco-cola Company responsible  for causing environmental damages in and around its bottling plant in Plachimada and it must pay for the damages it has caused. 

However, inspite of all the controversies, the Coco-Cola Company remains one for all seasons.....