Chapter 4: Case Study 4A - Coca-Cola Bottling Operations Did you know that every day 1.7 Billion servings of coke products are consumed in 206 countries across the world? John Pemberton formulated the Coca-Cola recipe in a drugstore in Columbus, Georgia and it was first sold as a soft drink in Atlanta on May 8, 1886. Fourteen decades later, Coke remains one of the most well-known and established brands. Did you ever think about how coke is made? Today Coca-Cola is bottled by franchisees who are the world's leading bottling and canning companies. The bottling operation includes the fabrication of the packaging material, the bottling and canning of the liquid itself and the assembly of unitized loads for further distribution and warehousing. Bottlers buy the syrup concentrate from the Coca Cola Company, mix it with water and sweeteners and then bottle or can the finished product. Bottlers are then in charge of distributing the products into the retail space. The bottling companies use state-of-the-art technology and automation to ensure high quality, low cost and rapid replenishment to satisfy consumers thirst. However, early on coke was made by hand to individual order and then in small batches. Even after 70 years of success with one brand, the company decided to expand with new flavors including Fanta (1950s), Sprite (1960's) and the acquisition of Minute Maid adding a variety of juices. The process has evolved as volume and variety have changed and investment in new technology has offered tremendous benefits. Q1: What process strategy is used in the bottling plant? Why this strategy versus others? Q2: How do you think the process of making Coca-Cola changed over time? What factors influenced these changes? Q3: What advantages or benefits are derived from the use of technology and automation in a bottling plant? Q4: If Coca-Cola were to launch a new line of cannabis infused drinks in 20 flavors and 10 packaging options, what process design changes might be relevant