Keeping its fizz

Volume in North America was down 3 percent, while international unit case volume rose 6 percent. Carbonated soft-drink volume was up 2 percent, while still-beverage unit case volume rose 11 percent.

Carbonated soft drinks remain popular in many foreign markets, especially emerging ones, but the category has been languishing in the U.S., forcing the company to expand its non-carbonated portfolio, both through acquisition and organic development.

The Coca-Cola Company sells fizzy drinks like Sprite and Fanta but also Vitamin Water, Dasani bottled water, and Powerade.

International operations now represent over 80 percent of the company’s operating income.

The Coca-Cola Company will not be bogged down by the economic crisis. “We purchased approximately USD 1.8 billion in net property plant equipment during 2008. For 2009 we would expect the total company net capital expenditures to be approximately USD 1.8 billion to USD 2.0 billion as we continue to make investments in our business as well as recently acquired bottling operations,” said Mukhtar Kent, CEO of The Coca Cola Company.