The coca-cola company

A SHORT HISTORY

It was 1886, and in New York Harbor, workers were constructing the Statue of Liberty. Eight hundred miles away, another great American symbol was about to be unveiled.

Like many people who change history, John Pemberton, an Atlanta pharmacist, was inspired by simple curiosity. One afternoon, he stirred up a fragrant, caramel-colored liquid and, when it was done, he carried it a few doors down to Jacobs' Pharmacy. Here, the mixture was combined with carbonated water and sampled by customers who all agreed -- this new drink was something special. So Jacobs' Pharmacy put it on sale for five cents a glass.

Pemberton's bookkeeper, Frank Robinson, named the mixture Coca-Cola®, and wrote it out in his distinct.

DESCRIPTION OF THE COMPANY

The coca-cola company is the world’s largest beverage company. It operates in more than 200 countries and market a portfolio of more than 3,000 beverage products including sparkling drinks and still beverages such as waters, juices, teas, coffees, sports drinks and energy drinks. The coca-cola company employs 92,800 people worldwide (July 2010), its current chairman and CEO is Muhtar Kent. Its turnover was US$ 31.0 billion in 2009.

In the US, Coca-Cola is a major lobbying force working to gain favorable legislation for the beverage industry. In both 2005 and 2006, it spent $1 million each year on lobbying. In 2007 that increased to $1.7 million, and by 2008, to $5.2 million. In 2009, total lobbying expenses jumped to $4.5 million, or nearly double the previous year. Much of the increased lobbying expenses are due to the industry’s fight against increased taxes on soft drinks and other sweetened beverages. For 2009, Coca-Cola has 38 lobbyists at 7 different firms lobbying on its behalf.

CRITICISM

The Coca-Cola Company has been involved in a number of crime controversies and lawsuits related to its relationship with human rights violations