Stanislaw Kracik, Mayor of Niepolomice, Poland, was interviewed recently by TIME magazine about the changes in his city since the beginning of the 1990s. When asked about the catalyst for the city’s growth since then, he didn’t hesitate: “the Coca-Cola System.”
The Coca-Cola Company, he said, had transformed the small town by investing US$ 30 million in a bottling plant and, in doing so, helped to attract dozens of other international firms to follow. That 1993 initiative offers an insight into the important part industries can play in communities – not just in Poland, but across Europe, and around the world.
The Coca-Cola Company first became actively involved in Poland in 1991. Today, Coca?Cola is produced at three modern production plants – in Radzymin, Lodz and Niepolomice. In addition, there are 30 sales and distribution centers. Operating under the names Coca-Cola Beverages Polska sp.z.o.o and Coca-Cola Poland Services sp.z.o.o., the two legal entities employ more than 2,300 people. In addition, the system conducts business with almost 100,000 trade associates across the country, and works with a further 9,000 businesses as suppliers of goods and services.
The Coca-Cola operations in Poland now present Polish consumers with a broad and growing selection of beverages, which now includes includes brand Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite, Kinley Tonic, Lift, Cappy Juices and nectars, Bonaqua, Nestea, Powerade and Burn. In 2003, the company acquired the Polish mineral water producer Multivita, in Tylicz.
The Coca-Cola System has invested more than US$ 500 million in developing its business in Poland, money that has in turn boosted the economy in innumerable ways. Through follow-on investments, the company expands production facilities and marketing and distribution capabilities to extend the brand to new local and international markets.
Not Taking, But Taking CareAn essential component of The Coca-Cola System operating philosophy is to be an active participant in the community. In Poland, this philosophy has led to engagement in activities ranging from sport to education, and from assisting charitable organizations to involvement in disaster relief.
Coca-Cola Poland funds sporting events, including cycling’s Tour de Pologne and the Coca-Cola Cup football competition, in which over 4,000 student teams compete. The Company has sponsored social services such as bringing relief to young flood victims and the “Conjure Up Books for Children” campaign, which provided 82,000 books to 1,650 school libraries.
Coca-Cola Poland works strenuously for the environment as well. Each of its plants holds ISO 9001 certification is committed to achieving ISO 14001 by next year. As a founding member of Eko-Pak, Coca-Cola Poland has helped initiate educational programs on environmental protection for primary school students and their teachers.
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