Suppliers

The unsung heroes behind the bubbles! Suppliers are the ones bringing the syrup, the packaging, and the pop to life. They’re keeping a keen eye on Coca-Cola’s financial commitments to fair pricing, supplier diversity, and long-term partnerships.

For suppliers, it’s not just about invoices — it’s about transparency, trust, and steady growth together. Cheers to the backbone of every bottle!

Efforts To Improve Supplier Relationships

Supply Chain Finance (SCF)

Voluntary program allows suppliers to receive early payments via third-party financiers.
Leverages Coca-Cola’s strong credit rating for better financing terms.
$1.231B in outstanding obligations (as of March 28, 2025).

Supplier Guiding Principles (SGP)

Part of all supplier contracts.
Outlines standards for ethical labor and human rights.
Enforced through independent third-party audits.

Supplier Diversity

Focus on inclusive sourcing from:

- Minority-, Women-, Veteran-, LGBTQ+-, Disabled-owned, and Small Businesses.

Includes: certification aid, Tier II programs, mentorship & funding support.

Collaboration & Communication

Builds trust through:

- Open dialogue

- Regular supplier reviews

- Data sharing for joint problem-solving

Technology & Automation

Uses digital tools to:

- Automate invoices

- Track payments in real-time

- Improve efficiency & transparency

Debt & Debt Ratios

The Coca-Cola Company strategically uses debt to lower its cost of capital and enhance shareholder equity, maintaining a strong credit profile.
Current Ratio: Calculated at approximately 1.10 as of Q1 2025 ($26,178 million current assets / $23,808 million current liabilities). While above 1.0, this indicates a relatively optimized liquidity position.
Debt Ratios (Debt-to-Equity, Debt-to-Assets, Interest Coverage Ratio): Specific figures for these ratios were not explicitly provided in the available reports. However, the company's strong credit ratings suggest a well-managed debt load.

Financial Health

LOANS AND AMOUNTS:

As of December 31, 2024, Coca-Cola had $1,139 million in outstanding commercial paper borrowings at a weighted-average interest rate of 5.0%.
The company also maintained significant financial flexibility with $5,693 million in unused lines of credit and other short-term credit facilities, including $4,550 million in corporate backup lines, as of December 31, 2024.

CREDIT RATINGS:

Coca-Cola holds high investment-grade credit ratings, signifying a very strong capacity to meet its financial obligations :

- Long-term debt: "A+" by Standard & Poor's and "A1" by Moody's (as of Dec 31, 2024).

Resources For Local & International Suppliers

Supplier Diversity Programs: Coca-Cola actively seeks to partner with diverse suppliers (local and international) and provides resources such as certification assistance, mentorship, and interactive events to promote their growth and inclusion in the supply chain.
Strategic Sourcing: The Coca-Cola bottling system in North America (CCBSS) strategically sources and negotiates over 150 categories of goods and services, leveraging substantial buying power. They work with suppliers on innovation and sustainability.
Ingredient Suppliers: Coca-Cola lists Tier 1 suppliers for key ingredients like sugar, corn (HFCS), and orange juice, which include both local and international companies (e.g., ADM, Cargill, Cutrale, Copersucar, Dangote).
Supplier Inquiry Forms: Companies like Coca-Cola UNITED provide online inquiry forms for interested suppliers to submit their information for potential sourcing opportunities.
Supplier Information Management Systems: Digital tools are used to centralize supplier data, accelerate onboarding, and provide a single, trusted view of suppliers, which can include information from third-party data sources like D&B.