Cott Beverages expanding Upstate operations

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Cott Beverages , U.S. subsidiary to Cott Corporation (NYSE:COT; TSX:BCB) , one of the world’s largest producers of beverages on behalf of retailers, brand owners and distributors, is expanding its existing Greenville County operations with the addition of a new warehouse and distribution center. The new facility represents a $10 million investment.

Headquartered in Tampa, Florida, the company was established as Cott Beverages Ltd. in 1955. Today, Cott Corporation operates approximately 60 manufacturing facilities and 180 distribution facilities, employing more than 9,000 workers worldwide. Cott also develops and manufactures beverage concentrates, which it exports to approximately 50 countries around the world.

Expansion of the company’s Greer, S.C. campus, which produces fruit and vegetable juices and beverages for national brand and retailer-brand customers, is being achieved with the opening of this new warehouse and distribution center. Construction of the 190,000-square-foot facility, which will be located adjacent to Cott’s existing manufacturing facility in Greer, S.C., began in September 2014. The new center will allow the company to better serve its growing customer base while alleviating traffic congestion on local roadways. The facility is expected to eliminate approximately 30 tractor-trailer trucks per weekday in each direction on Wade Hampton Boulevard between Greer and Taylors, S.C.

For more information on Cott, visit www.cott.com.

QUOTES

“We are grateful to the Greer Development Corporation for supporting this initiative upon its conception two years ago.  We would like to express gratitude to the administrative offices of the City of Greer, Greer CPW and Greer Fire Department on Hood Road for their support throughout the development and construction period. This project is the result of a joint effort by many individuals and is a testament to the City of Greer and its culture of supporting the economic prosperity of its businesses and citizens.” –Cott Beverages Plant Manager William Wise

“When a company like Cott Beverages decides to invest in South Carolina and our citizens, it’s a testament to our world class workforce and business-friendly environment. This $10 million investment is a real reason to celebrate throughout South Carolina.” –Gov. Nikki Haley

“Congratulations to Cott Beverages on the opening of their new warehouse and distribution center. This new facility shows that not only do we make things well in South Carolina, we’re also ideally positioned to move product around to serve our companies’ global customers.” –Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt

“We’re thrilled that Cott Beverages is adding a warehouse and distribution center to their already established manufacturing facility in Greer. The decision to stay in Greer and expand capabilities at their existing location reinforces the benefits of doing business in this city and Greenville County.” –Chairman of the Greenville Area Development Corporation Dick Wilkerson

“Greer continues to be a hub of choice for enterprise-sized companies. Our city’s physical location in the center of the I-85 corridor is a big appeal for companies like Cott Beverages, offering quick and easy access to East Coast customers. We see this expansion and organic growth from established area businesses, to be a good indication of the overall thriving business climate in the area.” –City of Greer Mayor Rick Danner

FIVE FAST FACTS

• Cott Beverages is expanding its Greenville County operations.
• $10 million total investment toward a new warehouse and distribution center in Greer, S.C.
• Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., the company was established as Cott Beverages Ltd. in 1955.
• The new warehouse and distribution center is located adjacent to Cott’s existing facility in Greer, S.C.
• Cott Corporation operates approximately 60 manufacturing facilities and 180 distribution facilities worldwide.

About Cott Corporation
Cott is one of the world’s largest producers of beverages on behalf of retailers, brand owners and distributors, and has one of the broadest home and office bottled water and office coffee services distribution networks in the United States, with the ability to service approximately 90 percent of U.S. households, as well as national, regional and local offices. 

Cott produces multiple types of beverages in a variety of packaging formats and sizes, including carbonated soft drinks, 100% shelf stable juice and juice-based products, clear, still and sparkling flavored waters, energy drinks and shots, sports drinks, new age beverages, ready-to-drink teas, beverage concentrates, liquid enhancers, freezables and ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages, as well as hot chocolate, coffee, malt drinks, creamers/whiteners and cereals.  Cott’s large manufacturing footprint, broad distribution network, substantial research and development capability and high-level of quality and customer service enables Cott to offer its customers a strong value-added proposition of low cost, high quality products and services. In addition, Cott is now a national direct-to-consumer provider of bottled water, office coffee and water filtration services offering a comprehensive portfolio of beverage products, equipment and supplies to approximately 1.5 million customer locations through its network of over 180 warehouse, branch and distribution facilities and daily operation of over 2,200 routes. 

With over 9,000 employees, Cott operates approximately 60 manufacturing facilities and 180 distribution facilities in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Mexico.  Cott also develops and manufactures beverage concentrates, which it exports to approximately 50 countries around the world. For more information, visit www.cott.com.