History

History

We have a rich heritage and an exciting future - from the creation of Coca‑Cola in 1886 to being recognized as an industry leader by the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices today. 


1886-1899: How it all began 1886-1899: How it all began

1886-1899: How it all began 

  • 1886: Doctor and pharmacist John Stith Pemberton creates Coca‑Cola in Atlanta (USA). He develops a delicious blend: Coca‑Cola is born. 
  • 1888: Pemberton sells his unique recipe and all rights to his secret formula for only 2,300 dollars to the businessman Asa Griggs Candler from Atlanta. 
  • 1892: Four years later, Candler founds The Coca‑Cola Company and sets a milestone for one of the most successful stories in the (beverage) world. 
  • 1895: Coca‑Cola is sold and consumed in every state in the US. 
  • 1899: The Coca‑Cola Company franchises its beverages to independent companies for the first time. With this step, the licensing system is established. 

We've been here in Switzerland

  • 50 years after Coca‑Cola’s invention, Max Stooss from Bern brings the beverage to Switzerland in 1936. 
  • On March 6, he registered Boissons Désaltérantes S.A in the commercial register of Lausanne. 
  • His first purchase: the semi-automatic bottling machine “Dixie”, which fills 600 bottles per hour. 
  • In May 1937, Stooss founds Refresca AG with a bottling plant in Zurich. 
  • As demand grows, Stooss expands his market area and opens additional production facilities in Switzerland. 
We've been here in Switzerland We've been here in Switzerland

the beginnings of Coca‑Cola HBC the beginnings of Coca‑Cola HBC

1951-1991: the beginnings of Coca‑Cola HBC 

  • 1951: Coca‑Cola HBC originates in Nigeria, where A.G. Leventis founded the Nigerian Bottling Company. 
  • 1963: The bottling plant in Dietlikon opens. 
  • 1969: Hellenic Bottling Company SA is founded in Greece. 
  • 1981: Kar-Tess Holding SA, a private holding company, acquires the Hellenic Bottling Company SA.
  • 1991: Hellenic Bottling Company SA shares are listed on the Athens Exchange. 

2000: Coca‑Cola HBC is formed 

  • 2000: Hellenic Bottling Company SA merges with another large bottling partner, Coca‑Cola Beverages Ltd, which is listed on the London Stock exchange and operating in twelve countries. 
  • 2002: Aquisition of Valser Mineralquellen 
  • 2007: Launch of Coca‑Cola zero in Switzerland 
2000: Coca‑Cola HBC is formed 2000: Coca‑Cola HBC is formed

2008 – today: Our route to sustainability 2008 – today: Our route to sustainability

2008 - today: Our route to sustainability 

  • 2008: Coca-Cola HBC is included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for the first time. 
  • 2012: Coca-Cola HBC establishes its corporate headquarters in Zug, Switzerland. Ranked among the three most sustainable food and beverage companies by the FTSE Group 
  • 2013: Coca-Cola HBC achieves premium listing on the London Stock Exchange and joins the FTSE 100.
  • 2019: VALSER becomes Switzerland's first climate-neutral mineral water brand.
  • 2020: Coca-Cola HBC is named Europe's most sustainable beverage company by the DJSI for the seventh time in eight years. Introduction of one of the world's lightest PET bottles.
  • 2021: Coca-Cola HBC acquires a 30% stake in Caffè Vergnano and secures exclusive distribution rights outside Italy. KeelClip™ cardboard packaging replaces plastic on multipacks, reducing plastic use by 95 tonnes annually. Coca-Cola HBC commits to achieving net-zero emissions by 2040.
  • 2022: Coca-Cola HBC Switzerland transitions all locally produced PET bottles to 100% recycled PET (rPET). Launch of Caffè Vergnano in Switzerland, expanding the company's premium coffee portfolio.
  • 2023: Coca-Cola HBC is recognised as the world's most sustainable company across all industries by the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook.
  • 2024: Coca-Cola HBC Switzerland, Caffè Vergnano and EHL Hospitality Business School launch a partnership to advance coffee excellence and hospitality education. Continued expansion of Three Cents strengthens the company's premium mixer portfolio.
  • 2025: Opening of the Accademia Vergnano at EHL Hospitality Business School in Lausanne, the first Caffè Vergnano academy outside Italy. Investment in a new high-speed rPET production line at the Dietlikon production site.