More Than a Hundred Years of Effervescence (NAPSA)—Ever since carbonated drinks began satisfying people’s thirst more than 100 years ago, interest in soda has been bubbling over. In the late 1800s, a new fizzy treat began showing up at local soda fountains. People discovered a new carbonated flavored beverage that was a refreshing treat, Coca-Cola. Soon, this fizzy beverage becamea populartrend. In 1899, the first patent was issued for a glass-blowing machine for the automated production of glass bottles. Then, in 1902 a businessman named Early W. Adams opened a small bottling company in Philadelphia to package and sell the popular drink. By the end of that year, he had established the Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Philadelphia. His first distribution produced 10 cases, which were hand delivered to stores by a horse drawn carriage. Nine of those cases were given away on the promise that if the beverage sold, he would return with more bottles and a contract. By 1919, the company wasproducing 76 bottles per minute and 100,000 cases annually and eventually expanded operations to begin serving customers in New Jersey and Delaware. In 1985, J. Bruce Llewellyn and a small group of investors, including the famous sports legend “Dr. J” Julius Erving purchased the bottling company. Now, more than 300,000 Coca-Cola products are con- After one Philadelphia com- pany beganselling bottled soda, consumers quickly bubbled with enthusiasm. sumed every minute. Those products include: Classic Coke, Vanilla Coke, Dasani water, and Powerade to namejust a few. J. Bruce Llewellyn and his wife, Shahara Ahmad-Llewellyn, run the bottling company with a team led by president and chief operating officer Ron Wilson. Through their leadership, the company has reached new heights, including doubling local employment from 600 to 1,200 employees. Since it began years ago, offering just one product, the company has grown over the last century to now produce more than 30 brands that come in 200 different packages. The company, which recently celebrated its 100-year anniversary, has worked to sustain its record of supporting community and education initiatives, offering scholarships to deserving highschool students and supporting the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.
