Coca Cola 2008 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 nearly 500 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
54 billion beverage servings of all types consumed worldwide every day, beverages bearing trademarks owned by
or licensed to us account for approximately 1.6 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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