Chapter 1: History & Mission Statement

Refreshing our lives since 1886. 

     The Coca-Cola beverage we are all so familiar with was invented in Columbus, Georgia by pharmacist John Stith Pemberton. He was originally attempting to create a cure for his morphine addiction. That idea led him to create an alcoholic beverage which he named "Pemberton's French Wine Coca". It was advertised to be beneficial for - "ladies, and all those whose sedentary employment causes nervous prostration, irregularities of the stomach, bowels and kidneys, who require a nerve tonic and a pure, delightful diffusible stimulant." 

     But John Pemberton wasn't the reason why this company grew tremendously at such an accelerated rate. Pemberton sold the new Coca-Cola formula in 1889 to Asa Candler. I'm sure Pemberton had no idea his invention would become a company of its own and eventually transform into the multi-billion dollar industry that it is today. Asa Candler would go on to incorporate the company in 1892 and in 1894, Coca-Cola was being sold in bottles for the first time. During World War II, bottling plants were already set up in Europe, Africa and the Pacific Islands. The Coca-Cola Company would go on to make many acquisitions in the 20th century, acquisitions which has now led them to be the sole owner of over 500 different brands in over 200 different countries! They now are believed to serve 1.7 billion servings each day! Thats over 20% of the world population drinking Coca-Cola each day!

THE COCA-COLA COMPANY MISSION STATEMENT:

(AS FOUND ON THEIR COMPANY WEBSITE - http://www.thecoca-colacompany.com/ourcompany/mission_vision_values.html )

Mission:
     The Companies Roadmap starts with our mission, which is enduring. It declares our purpose as a company and serves as the standard against which we weigh our actions and decisions.

• To refresh the world...
• To inspire moments of optimism and happiness...
• To create value and make a difference.

Vision:
     The Companies vision serves as the framework for our Roadmap and guides every aspect of our business by describing what we need to accomplish in order to continue achieving sustainable, quality growth.

• People: Be a great place to work where people are inspired to be the best they can be.
• Portfolio: Bring to the world a portfolio of quality beverage brands that anticipate and satisfy people's desires and needs.
• Partners: Nurture a winning network of customers and suppliers, together we create mutual, enduring value.
• Planet: Be a responsible citizen that makes a difference by helping build and support sustainable communities.
• Profit: Maximize long-term return to share owners while being mindful of our overall responsibilities.
• Productivity: Be a highly effective, lean and fast-moving organization.