Consolidation set to close Okmulgee’s Coca-Cola facility

Move to prompt 246 layoffs, including in Oklahoma City

OKMULGEE — The Coca-Cola bottling plant in Okmulgee will close as part of a consolidation with the company’s Oklahoma City facility, the soft-drink maker said Wednesday.

Frontline salespeople, drivers and merchandisers at Okmulgee’s distribution center will not be affected by the move, which is expected to take place in March.

Coca-Cola employs 214 in Okmulgee, including 104 at the bottling plant.

“We’ve informed our associates that we are designing a new operating model to support our growth strategy for the future,” Coca-Cola spokesman Ish Arebalos said in a statement.

“We shared that these changes occurring in Oklahoma City and Okmulgee locations could result in approximately 246 job reductions, which about half of those from Oklahoma City, will be made through attrition, moving roles, and where necessary, job elimination.

“While difficult, these changes are helping us create a faster, leaner and more agile organization to accelerate growth in the local marketplace.”

Eligible associates will be given an opportunity to apply for current open roles in the Oklahoma market and access job postings across Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages and other bottlers in the company system, he said.

Also, Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages will partner with the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission for assistance and will provide an employee assistance program, as well as a severance package or relocation assistance.

“We do not take decisions about job impacts lightly and are committed to treating our people with dignity, fairness and respect throughout this process,” Arebalos said.

“We remain committed to making a positive difference in our local communities where we live and work. We will continue to support organizations and community initiatives as we’ve done for decades.”