The joy of the holidays comes from spending time with loved ones. Just as it’s people who make the yuletide season special, the people of Arca-Continental Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages (CCSWB) are who connect this local bottler to communities across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and New Mexico. CCSWB associates personify a culture of giving back in each community they serve, from Houston to Beaumont to Austin and across the southwest.
Discover the Inspiring Stories Driving CCSWB’s Under the Cap
By StoryStudio on December 6, 2024
Under the Cap Episodes
In the Austin episode, Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages Field Service Supervisor Kenneth Zbikowski talks about being a volunteer firefighter while Checker Roland Flores shows us how an award-winning BBQ pitmaster does his job. If that’s not enough, hear a refreshing story about Ranch 616, home of the original Ranch Water, including the secret Coca-Cola ingredient that adds a special touch. Spoiler alert – it’s Topo Chico!
These behind-the-scenes vignettes are more than just stories about CCSWB associates. They are reminders of what is important not only during the holidays but all year long. Deep personal connections to the community, giving back and doing some of the most unique work this local bottler has to offer—that’s Under the Cap!
CCSWB values its workforce and encourages a sense of pride among its associates.
Freshwater Conservation
Besides packaging, CCSWB drives positive change through its water conservation methods. The company has embraced innovative freshwater and agricultural initiatives through partnerships to support areas that provide a replenishing water source to its facilities. In 2020, CCSWB and The Coca-Cola Foundation supported The Nature Conservancy’s efforts by pledging $2 million to meet water needs across the region. This cooperative impact spotlighted a statewide ad campaign about the strain on freshwater resources, as well as uplifted conservation both in CCSWB’s plants and local community.
Like many of the Coca-Cola bottlers across the country, CCSWB donates empty ingredient barrels to local nonprofits for storage tanks. Events like EarthX in Fort Worth use these barrels to help collect rainwater for recycling and reuse. Since 2013, CCSWB has donated over 3,000 barrels to potentially save more than 3.4 million gallons of water per year, resulting in the company’s largest active partnership.
Sustaining, Together
Since 2020, CCSWB has reduced its carbon emissions by 46 million pounds and decreased annual plastic waste by 78 million pounds. The company’s enthusiasm for sustainability, not only in its production but community, shows no sign of slowing down in the coming years. With its local partnerships, CCSWB recognizes the power of cooperation, such as with the City of McAllen and the Keep McAllen Beautiful group, which promoted recycling efforts, resulting in the collection of over 24 million plastic bottles. CCSWB understands that to make a tangible difference in the world, it must be the first to act. And to make lasting, meaningful, long-term change, we must do so together!
This holiday season, feel good about your community and get inspired by watching Under the Cap at cocacolaswb.com/underthecap.
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As the local bottler of one of the world’s most beloved brands, it could be easy for the stories of individual CCSWB associates to get overlooked. “Under the Cap,” available on the CCSWB YouTube channel, makes sure they don’t. These charming, inspirational stories highlight the importance of recognizing and celebrating associate achievements. This holiday season, there’s no time like the present to watch the CCSWB people who work there are daily heroes making our communities run.
As Tim Hudson brings the joy of the holidays as Santa at Southpoint, Walter McFadden, Area Sales and Merchandising Manager, is across town at CCSWB’s Northpoint 1 million square foot production/distribution center donning Coca-Cola red in an entirely different way. In the Houston episode of Under the Cap, Walter, a former NFL cornerback for the Raiders, uses his experience to suit up every day and infuse his football upbringing with a sense of partnership among his associates. Viewers get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes at the local level to bottle Coca-Cola.
“We have a winning culture here,” says Walter. “We have fun, we’re competitive, and we’re always making you feel like you’re one of the team.”
Other episodes of Under the Cap show how in Beaumont, CCSWB associates go above and beyond the bottle to serve the community no matter the circumstances. In the wake of Hurricane Harvey in 2017, CCSWB associates navigated their own challenges while serving the community. Flash forward to today as these same associates support the annual South Texas State Fair.
Giving in any Season
We have an unwavering commitment to sustainability, and it guides everything we do as a company.”
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Abraham Tueme,
Director of Sustainability, Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages
Renewable Energy
While sustainability is certainly about the usage of clean, recyclable materials, it also extends to the energy powering company facilities. Across all Texas-based deregulated locations, CCSWB purchases 100% renewable energy, making it the first long-term energy contract of this size among Coca-Cola bottlers in North America. Northpoint, the company’s newest Houston-based facility, is also 100% powered by renewable energy. Plus, since opening in 2020, the location has reduced the energy requirement for manufacturing operations by 8%.
Just ask CCSWB associate Tim Hudson who, each holiday season, dons a red Santa suit and brings tidings of good cheer to his Houston neighborhood. While taking a break from his day job as a Bulk Lead Driver, Tim uses his formal Santa training from Macy’s (and his year-round fluffy white beard) to welcome families across the city of Houston to spend some quality time with Santa. Last year, even CCSWB transformed their Northpoint facility into the Northpole where associates brought their children and family to meet Santa.
“They call it an employee function, but I call it a family function,” laughs Tim.
Tim’s Santa visit is one of many examples of CCSWB associates acting as heroes in their community, highlighted by “Under the Cap.” Under the Cap is a video series celebrating humorous, heartwarming and inspiring stories happening every day at CCSWB. Over 30 7-to-10-minute episodes showcase the impact CCSWB associates make on their communities. Produced in partnership with Texas Monthly Studio and the Texas Country Reporter, this series offers an inside look at the people who drive both CCSWB’s business and its values.
“At CCSWB, it’s all about people,” says CCSWB CEO Jean Claude Tissot. “Whether as volunteer firefighters, musicians or even bringing joy as Santa Claus, the heart and dedication of our CCSWB ‘heroes’ are a huge part of our success.”
Whether as volunteer firefighters, musicians or even bringing joy as Santa Claus, the heart and dedication of our CCSWB ‘heroes’ are a huge part of our success.”
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Jean Claude Tissot, CCSWB CEO
