The idiom “United we stand, Divided we fall,” emphasizes the importance of unity and the imminent success that’s likely to come from uniting people for a common goal and a common good. With “united” part of their company name, Coca-Cola Bottling Co. UNITED and its 10,000 associates are teamwork personified. Each day, they ensure that more than 1,200 SKUs of carbonated soft drinks (CSDs), still and sparkling waters, sports drinks, energy drinks and ready-to-drink teas and juices are delivered to more than 150,000 customers across six Southeastern states.

Founded in Birmingham, Ala., in 1902 by Crawford Johnson Sr., Coca-Cola UNITED rose from humble beginnings when Johnson Sr. left Chattanooga, Tenn., for Birmingham with $12,000 and a plan to start a Coca-Cola franchise with one “employee,” and a mule named Bird, which he used to make deliveries.