In a move that affects the revitalized hometown brand A-Treat, Coca-Cola Bottling Co. is ceasing soda production at month’s end in Bethlehem, Lehigh Valley Business reports.
A-Treat was made until January 2015 at 2001 Union Blvd. in Allentown. The company closed, and Jaindl Companies announced the following July it was buying the brand, trademark and flavor formulas. Production resumed that August at Coca-Cola Bottling Co. of the Lehigh Valley, 2150 Industrial Drive in Bethlehem.
A-Treat once again rolling off the line
The Morning Call was the first to report Wednesday that the Coca-Cola plant was shutting down its production line. The owner of the local plant, Pittsburgh-based ABARTA Inc., plans to stop making soda altogether in May, the newspaper reports.
The Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp. told the newspaper its officials were assured job losses at the plant, which employs 124 people, should be minimal as its transitions from production to distribution.
The Jaindl family said Wednesday it has a verbal agreement with a new soda producer, and that preparation for the transition started months ago, WFMZ-TV 69 reports.
“It is scheduled to begin at the start of next month,” David Jaindl told Lehigh Valley Business. “We are pleased with the sales, they are continuing to grow.”
Coca-Cola of the Lehigh Valley also makes a wide variety of its brand’s sparkling, tea/juice/coffee, sports and energy beverages in addition to bottling water and production of flavor drops, according to its website.
Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
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