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 Indices for the first time. 
  • 2012: Coca‑Cola HBC becomes a Swiss company based in Zug.
  • 2012: Coca‑Cola HBC is ranked among the three most sustainable food and beverage companies according to the FTSE Group, based on environmental, social and governance criteria. 
  • 2013: Premium listing at the London Stock Exchange (FTSE100) 
  • 2019: VALSER is the first climate-neutral mineral water in Switzerland.
  • 2020: For the 7th time in eight years, the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) ranks Coca-Cola HBC as the most sustainable beverage company in Europe.
  • 2020 : Launch of the new Light-Weight-PET-bottle: The weight of the 450 ml PET-bottle drops to 19.5 gr, making it one of the lightest in the world.
  • 2021: Coca-Cola HBC Switzerland switches to using Keelclip™ packaging made from cardboard instead of plastic for its can multipacks. This saves 95 tonnes of plastic wrap per year.
  • 2021: Coca-Cola HBC commits to net-zero emissions by 2040.
  • 2022: Coca-Cola HBC Switzerland introduces 100 percent recycled PET (rPET) for all bottles produced in Switzerland.
  • 2023: Coca-Cola HBC Switzerland crowned most sustainable company across industries by S&P Global Yearbook.