Coca Cola 2007 Annual Report Download - page 3

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report contains information that may constitute “forward-looking statements.” Generally, the words
“believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “project,” “will” and similar expressions identify
forward-looking statements, which generally are not historical in nature. All statements that address operating
performance, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future—including statements
relating to volume growth, share of sales and earnings per share growth, and statements expressing general views
about future operating results—are forward-looking statements. Management believes that these forward-looking
statements are reasonable as and when made. However, caution should be taken not to place undue reliance on any
such forward-looking statements because such statements speak only as of the date when made. Our Company
undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. In addition, forward-looking statements are subject
to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from our Company’s historical
experience and our present expectations or projections. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to,
those described in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this report and those described from time to time
in our future reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
General
The Coca-Cola Company is the largest manufacturer, distributor and marketer of nonalcoholic beverage
concentrates and syrups in the world. Finished beverage products bearing our trademarks, sold in the United States
since 1886, are now sold in more than 200 countries. Along with Coca-Cola, which is recognized as the world’s most
valuable brand, we market four of the world’s top five nonalcoholic sparkling brands, including Diet Coke, Fanta and
Sprite. In this report, the terms “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” mean The Coca-Cola Company and all entities
included in our consolidated financial statements.
Our business is nonalcoholic beverages—principally sparkling beverages, but also a variety of still beverages. We
manufacture beverage concentrates and syrups, which we sell to bottling and canning operations, fountain wholesalers
and some fountain retailers, as well as finished beverages, which we sell primarily to distributors. Our Company owns
or licenses more than 450 brands, including diet and light beverages, waters, enhanced waters, juices and juice drinks,
teas, coffees, and energy and sports drinks. In addition, we have ownership interests in numerous beverage joint
ventures, bottling and canning operations, although most of these operations are independently owned and managed.
We were incorporated in September 1919 under the laws of the State of Delaware and succeeded to the business
of a Georgia corporation with the same name that had been organized in 1892.
Our Company is one of numerous competitors in the commercial beverages market. Of the approximately
53 billion beverage servings of all types consumed worldwide every day, beverages bearing trademarks owned by or
licensed to us account for approximately 1.5 billion.
We believe that our success depends on our ability to connect with consumers by providing them with a wide
variety of choices to meet their desires, needs and lifestyle choices. Our success further depends on the ability of our
people to execute effectively, every day.
Our goal is to use our Company’s assets—our brands, financial strength, unrivaled distribution system, global
reach and the talent and strong commitment of our management and associates—to become more competitive and to
accelerate growth in a manner that creates value for our shareowners.
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