Coca-Cola Enterprises

As consolidation of bottlers across the U.S. accelerated, The Coca-Cola Company combined company-owned bottlers with two ownership groups, the John T. Lupton franchises and BCI Holding Corporation, to create Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc., offering its stock to the public November 21, 1986

In December, CCE completed a merger with the Johnston
Coca-Cola Bottling Group, Inc., beginning a highly successful restructuring with a new management team that included Summerfield K. Johnston Jr. as CEO and Lowry F. Kline, who would become chairman and CEO later, as general counsel. Total revenues were $5 billion.

The Company began a series of significant acquisitions of bottlers, acquiring territory in the Southeast and Midwest United States, and in Europe, Belgium and France. The Company also signed a letter of intent for the bottler in England, Scotland and Wales. Total revenues were $10.3 billion.

Acquisitions of Coke New York, Coke Southwest, and the Canadian territories were completed in 1998, raising the Company's total share of North American bottle and can volume to 74 percent. The acquisition of the Herb Group, which included Chicago, Indianapolis and Rochester, was completed in 2001, raising the Company's share of Coca-Cola North American bottle and can volume to approximately 80 percent.