The Coca-Cola Company has revealed a new “streamlined” structure for its international operations – the first major operational changes since the appointment of chief operating officer James Quincey in August.
The most significant move announced today was the formation of a new Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) Group, consisting of the business units that currently make up the Europe and Eurasia and Africa Groups.
In addition, Coca-Cola will combine its Central and Southern Europe and Russia, Ukraine and Belarus business units into a single division, to be known as Central and Eastern Europe; while in Africa, two business units will be reconfigured with the formation of a new South and East Africa business unit and a West Africa business unit.
The changes will better align Coca-Cola’s operating units against its global bottling footprint, and promote and develop key Coca-Cola leaders, the company said.
“Today’s announcement outlines important changes to our international operating structure that better support our evolving bottler footprint and demonstrate the deep bench of management experience we are fortunate to have in the Coca-Cola system,” said chairman and chief executive officer Muhtar Kent. “These moves will continue to lay the foundation for strong leadership and management continuity.”
James Quincey
Coca-Cola president and chief operating officer James Quincey added: “As we continue to implement our five strategic actions for growth, it is critical that our organisational structure enables the speed, agility and inspirational leadership that are necessary to win today and in the future. The changes we are announcing today streamline our international structure, and reflect strong talent succession and a commitment to developing the next generation of leaders at our company.”
In addition to its new operating structure, Coca-Cola has announced a number of changes in key roles. The most notable were:
The new roles for Kalumbu and Singh are both in preparation for their retirement.
“Nathan and Atul have been great Coca-Cola leaders, and our system has benefitted significantly from their passion, knowledge and leadership,” Quincey said.
“I think each of [the incoming group presidents], in their own way, has three things in common. They have a proven track record of success in good times, and in tough times. They are strong, disciplined leaders who make decisions that are in the best interests of the business for the long term. Finally, they are very good at developing talent – identifying and bringing people through the pipeline who are becoming the next generation of leaders at our company.”
The changes will help Coca-Cola to simplify its structure system-wide, helping to make it faster and more efficient.
They form part of Coca-Cola’s 2020 Vision and are the first implemented by Quincey, a former president of Coca-Cola’s Europe Group, who was announced as Coca-Cola president and COO in August.
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