Company Project- Supplemental information Coca-Cola (8 to 10 Page) The report should include a brief introduction to the company (one page) which includes information on the background of the...

Introduction
The Coca-Cola Company was started in the year 1886, from an Atlanta pharmacy, where it
sold its initial drink at five cents a glass. From there the company expanded its line of
business to its current stage in the year 2000s where it sells drinks under more than 500
brands of sparkling beverages, juices, ready-to-drink teas and coffees, energy and sports
drinks. Thus, the period saw the transformation of Coca-Cola from an invention of a
refreshment drink into a most-flourishing business. The company as in its present state of a
multi-billion dollar company and their unique drink travelled a long journey before being
presented to the whole of the world. John Pemberton, the man responsible for creating the
new drink, did not live long enough to reap the fruits of his invention and see its popularity;
and died two years later in 1888. Griggs Candler, an Atlanta businessman bought the rights to
the drink but did not realise the potential of making revenues from the drink through adequate
and appropriate bottling and presentation. Subsequently, in the year 1899, two lawyers
Thomas and Whitehead, secured the rights to the drink and also to bottle it; and thus sold it in
this manner. Thus in 1916, after a lapse of 30 years since its invention, the drink was finally
presented in the bottle which is the trademark of Coca-Cola till today. This initial journey of
the drink never hinted that it would achieve its current status of a multi-billion dollar
company. During the 1928 Olympics, the drink was introduced to the rest of the world by the
then president of the company, Robert Woodruff, who also remained on this position for
almost 60 years. The 1950s and 60s saw the introduction of other flavours and juices in the
various line of beverages started by the company and presently, the company has over 500
brands of drinks which can be found in various parts of the globe.
It got listed in the year 1916. The company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and it
has the ticker symbol of KO.
Corporate Governance
As regards to Corporate Governance, the policy of the Coca-Cola Company is that of
extensive commitment through establishment and adoption of suitable and appropriate
governance guidelines, followed by their continuous review and development. The purpose
of such good corporate governance guidelines developed by the company is to endorse and
encourage the long term interests of the shareholders or owners of the company, strengthen
and provide a sense of direction to the Board of directors who are responsible for achieving
the interests and benefits of the shareholders and thus, eventually achieve public and investor
confidence in the company. The corporate governance framework adopted by the Coca-Cola
company comprises of guidelines to take care of matters such as the qualifications and
responsibilities of the Board of directors, their mission for the company, by-laws of the
company, charters of various committees such as the Audit committee, Executive committee,
Finance committee, Committee on Directors and Corporate Governance etc. It also lays
down the code of business conduct for the company, information relating to the manner in
which to report the accounting issues of the company, and the public policy engagement and
political contributions policy of the company.
The Corporate Governance guidelines lay down the mission of the company and the Board of
directors and the code of business conduct for the company aims to assist the employees of
the company to perform actions which are consistent with the values and mission of the
company. Further, the company has an Ethics and Compliance office where the public can
report regarding any issues that one may have regarding accounting, auditing, internal
accounting controls and other business conduct at the company. In line with the public
engagement policy, the company believes in participating and educating the policy makers of
the country to devise and draft policies which impact its business and that of its associates.
The Coca-cola company has a political contributions policy which is in line with U.S. legal
laws relating to same, so as to support those political parties, organizations and candidates
who have views and works which are consistent with and in line with the overall mission,
values and interests of the company as a whole and the non-alcoholic beverage industry that
it operates in.
Distributions to shareholders: Dividends and Repurchases
The company actively and regularly gives dividends and carries out repurchases of its own
shares as means to make distributions to existing equity shareholders.
The Coca-Cola Company pays dividends four times a year on a quarterly basis, with the date
of payments being April 1, July 1, October 1 and December 15. The company has been
increasing its dividend pay out at approximately ten per cent annually. The annual common
stock dividend for the company was $1.02 per share, $0.94 per share and $0.88...