TBO.com - Tampa Bay Online
Coca-Cola Enterprises Considers Outsourcing Brandon Work
ADVERTISEMENT
Published: May 14, 2008
One of Brandon's biggest employers, Coca-Cola Enterprises, is considering changes that could include cutting some of its workforce and outsourcing the work elsewhere.
Coca-Cola Enterprises is the largest bottler and distributor of Coca-Cola products. It is separate from the Coca-Cola Co. Today, Norman Ross, vice president of public affairs and communications for Coca-Cola Enterprises, said the company has brought in two business process outsourcing, or BPO, providers to review the efficiency of its massive back-office operation in Brandon.
Ross said the two BPO companies began meeting with company employees on May 10 and will make recommendations on ways that Coca-Cola Enterprises can improve its efficiency. Ross said possibilities include outsourcing work elsewhere, consolidating some of the company's finance operations or restructuring operations in Brandon and five other finance-related company locations: Toronto; Dallas; Paris; Brussels, Belgium; and the United Kingdom.
He insisted that no decisions have been made about whether to outsource jobs.
"We're currently evaluating things," Ross said.
Overall, Coca-Cola Enterprises employs about 2,400 people in the Bay area. Its Brandon back-office center, known as a "shared services" center, has grown to 1,100 employees who perform many of Coca-Cola Enterprises' back-office finance functions. The growth of the Brandon center has become a source of pride for local economic development officials.
BPO companies are known for shifting work from high-cost countries such as the United States to low-wage countries, such as India or the Philippines. Ross said he didn't immediately know the names of the two BPO providers, and he declined to say where the jobs would go if they were to be outsourced.
Reporter Michael Sasso can be reached at (813) 259-7865 or msasso@tampatrib.com.
Post a comment
(Requires free registration.)
* Keep it clean
* Respect others
* Don't hate
* Don't use language you wouldn't use with your mom
* Use "Report Inappropriate Comments" link when necessary
* See Member Agreement for details
TBO.com - Tampa Bay Online Member Agreement | Privacy Statement | Work With Us
Reader Comments
Posted by ( whyn ) on May 14, 2008 at 4:14 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Well if the people in the Tampa Bay area have any balls- if they give India the jobs- let them also drink the product- boycott Coke till they give some straight answers.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( RangerDave ) on May 14, 2008 at 4:15 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Man...this ain't good.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( Mr_Peabody ) on May 14, 2008 at 4:17 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Wow - another great taxpayer rip-off - pretty soon the only jobs left in America will be servicing foreign tourists who make all their money working offshore for American companies and come here for vacation - another great example of corporate greed
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( allyally ) on May 14, 2008 at 4:27 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
What a shame...coco cola is supposed to be an american company and product
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( acuratl96 ) on May 14, 2008 at 4:29 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I GUESS I WILL JUST STOP DRINKING COKE. LET THE PEOPLE IN THE PHILLIPINES KEEP THEM IN BUSINESS.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( Major7th ) on May 14, 2008 at 4:32 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Coca Cola is considered to be an American institution. To outsource jobs to another country should be considered Treason.
If they do out source, I will never buy their product again, or any product thay are affiliated with.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( crysntrin ) on May 14, 2008 at 4:35 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
then why are they posted on careerbuilder if they are downsizing?
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( Nola504 ) on May 14, 2008 at 4:40 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
i just found out 2 weeks ago my job is being sent to india i work for 5/3 wholesale mtg, what stucks is that what i work so hard for is gone.i was born here so why cant i have what the government calls the american dream.now im F***ed and got to start over. Thanks to these corp aholes.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( lornoborno ) on May 14, 2008 at 4:56 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Don't vote Hillary or McCain - they both love India outsourcing (even though Hillary now claims otherwise)
Ron Paul was our only hope.
Don't drink Coke.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( NOTAFAN ) on May 14, 2008 at 5:02 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I refuse to buy Coke products.
Carbonated beverages are a MAJOR source of carbon dioxide emissions.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( mari25 ) on May 14, 2008 at 5:03 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Don't you think it's time the government stepped in and did something about this? I mean, it should be illegal. Since I know that's not going to happen, the boycott sounds good. I know a few people who work in their Brandon corporate office and whose lives would drastically change if this happens. It's just not right.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( boston85 ) on May 14, 2008 at 5:20 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
no such thing as an American company anymore
They are "global" companies now.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( 3rd_POV ) on May 14, 2008 at 6:08 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Don't just boycott.
Email them, write them, call them...
and every other company that spits on the "common man" while reaping in profits..
Not only are these companies turning their back on their consumers, but they are also promoting/condoning the slave labor sweatshops in these "3rd world" countries..
As for the government doing anything...
Remember, it was not so long ago when it was revealed that we were getting our US military uniforms from China..
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( Colorado ) on May 14, 2008 at 6:18 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
No loyalty to the American people working hard in that factory where they sweat their a$$ off everyday.
ROSS, will your job become outsourced too? I don't think so. AND don't say "We are evaluating things." Your evaluation is complete.
ROSS, go home tonight and enjoy your luxary life and also realize how hard those AMERICANS are working just to make ends meet and know what a jacka$$ you and the rest of the corporate crew are for taking part in this garbage 'evaluation', as you put it.
You are disgusting and so is this story!
This posting is in honor of TWO of my family members that work at this location.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( flea ) on May 14, 2008 at 6:35 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Well let's see the governement is cutting jobs, the big companies are cutting jobs, the only one hiring is McDonalds. what is everybody going to end up on welfare in their "golden" years?
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( pointedroachtipshoes ) on May 14, 2008 at 6:44 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
They were so cocky when i worked there...than pepsi kicked their but....and now they have no idea how to manage there company! Classic!
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( johnboy ) on May 14, 2008 at 7:15 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Everyone should read labels and boycott Coke products!!!Email Coke and tell them they stink!! This goes to show just how greedy Coke has gotten. We will not buy Coke products again. They are traitors!!!
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( Kevlarkathy ) on May 14, 2008 at 7:38 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Anybody remember NAFTA? Well the Clintons (courtesy of Bill) brought that about a good while back, and there were those of us that thought it was a horrible idea. Now the corporations (US and abroad) are looking at trying to make some profits, and they have no choice but to look around at "doing it cheaper somewhere else".
All of us (whether we like it or not) are living in a global economy. Look at Wal-Mart - heck, look at EBay! Half of everything sold on there is coming from overseas!
BTW - I have given up on Diet Coke - Publix makes a diet cola that tastes just as good for 69 cents a 2 liter.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( goodtimejim ) on May 14, 2008 at 7:50 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I will give this thought and then i have had my last coke of my life. Done.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( hack911 ) on May 14, 2008 at 8:09 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Well, let's see. People loseing their homes, gas at $4.00 per gal., food prices up more than 10%, medical costs skyrocketing, educational cost up at 3 times the rate of inflation and the democratic Presidential candidate want to raise taxes. And companies wanting to outsource jobs. Well, at least I still have cheap entertainment. I think I will go out on the patio and watch the lizards catch ants. It doesen't get any better than that. Oh, I will be drinking a diet Coke as my adult beverage.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( mleilanir ) on May 14, 2008 at 8:10 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
& we wonder what's wrong with the economy...Guess I have to start liking Pepsi...
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( mleilanir ) on May 14, 2008 at 8:11 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Does anyone know contact info? I would love to write an eloquent letter to Coke officials.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( AmericanVeteran ) on May 14, 2008 at 8:24 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
You may also email Coca-Cola Enterprises at ccemail@cokecce.com.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( pcgrl ) on May 14, 2008 at 8:53 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
What a great way to boost a drowning economy...and another reason I only drink pepsi products.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( MarcyR1011 ) on May 14, 2008 at 8:58 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
It was the people of American that made Coke the company it is today and now they want to outsource all the work to foreign companys to save money. What a slap in the face with the way the economy is. Hopefully they will rethink this....but I wouldn't hold my breath!
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( todu385 ) on May 14, 2008 at 9:03 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
We have been drinking Pepsi products because they taste better to us than Coke anyway.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( Narcopwife ) on May 14, 2008 at 9:13 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
People need to be aware that this is happening and complain, they never thought this would hit the paper so fast. Leave comments and write letters.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( ImagineThat ) on May 14, 2008 at 9:47 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Coke does NOT care what anyone has to say whether it is employee's or public. They are only worried about making a dollar. Heck with everyone that got them to where they are now!!!!!!
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( bubba ) on May 14, 2008 at 9:52 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I work at this location and can not believe they are looking at doing this to us. I believe they and any company based in the United States should lose any tax breaks they get as well as pay addtional unemployment benifiets back. Maybe as to doing this the CEO CFO etc could take a bonus cut or not one at all considering they are paid on top of their salary and they are in the millions. Employees get a 3% pay increase and this people get millions no matter how the company does. Maybe that could save some jobs for the people who work and live where they make most of their money.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( waynefreeman ) on May 14, 2008 at 10:20 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Let us see how many people will be gitting sick drinking tainted Coca Cola made in Indea or China. Not me I will be drinking Pepsi
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( robertj1954 ) on May 14, 2008 at 10:46 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
The business model of out sourcing good jobs to locations outside the country has become way too common. I think businesses today are all about profits for their share holders and out of line bonuses for the executives, this all at the expense of employees who are no longer important. Like another poster mentioned, Coca Cola has always been seen as an American Institution.
I would love seeing a political movement where companies are given severe tax penalties for every job outsourced overseas causing American job losses. There is too much competition in the market to have them pass the tax onto their customers. So it could not be easily ignored by the company. Something must be done to put an end to this callous business strategy of outsourcing American jobs. Let’s start with Coca Cola; we consumers should boycott them if they find it necessary to send American jobs overseas. It is time to start fighting back in a way that gets their attention. Boycott their products!
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( gregd34668 ) on May 14, 2008 at 11:14 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Serious consideration needs to be made by every American whether to support or boycott any company who out-sources. American jobs as well as Americans themselves are already suffering, as more and more jobs are out sourced. All for big profits. Thats Un-American. Or is it? You decide, as for me I'm not going to support any company that out sources American jobs. America to me is more important than drinking Coke, as it is for any other product or service that is out sourced.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( moebious ) on May 15, 2008 at 1:03 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
hold on... they're talking about outsourcing office jobs not the bottling jobs. do you think they will ship bottled coke overseas. no that would be more expensive. they dont ship bottled import beer overseas. the imported part of the beer is the recipe to liscenced brewers in america. i still think any job outsourced is a shame but thats just the way it is. kids, you should think globally and study for jobs that are needed everywhere.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( notsosmart ) on May 15, 2008 at 8:25 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Why stop with Coca Cola? Let's stop using foreign oil!
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( jac ) on May 15, 2008 at 9:12 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Buy American made. Until we can bring our companies back here it hard do to buy only american.Some american companies have to buy the things they need to make american made products because we don't make them here anymore.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( divorcedalso ) on May 15, 2008 at 9:16 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
if you feel that strongly email john brock ceo for coca-cola enterprises
jfbrock@cokecce.com
his job won't be outsourced, he will still make his 7 figure salary and receive his 7 figure bonus every year while the rest of us are collecting unemployment
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( GF ) on May 15, 2008 at 10:17 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I don't understand people who want the government to do something. You do something. Don't buy it. Tell everyone you know not to buy it. Those that work for companies, tell them not to buy it. Stand up for yourself. Those that own companies, don't buy it. Email or write. No wonder we keep losing jobs, Americans have no ambition anymore. "Don't ask what your country can do for you........."
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( flpeep ) on May 15, 2008 at 10:26 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
That's the truth GF! Americans are the first to jump up and say "Somebody should do something!" Well, guess what this has been going on for years, and NOBODY is going to do something unless we all do something! We all need to do our part, be aware of what is happening to our country! Stop buying foreign made crap at Wal-Mart! Read labels, listen to the news, open your eyes, educate yourselves and your kids!
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( mleilanir ) on May 15, 2008 at 1:01 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
robertj1954...EXCELLENT idea!!
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( cshultz110 ) on May 15, 2008 at 1:13 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
GF - Bravo and well said!
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( usfsmartie ) on May 15, 2008 at 3:29 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I would like to say this surprises me, but it doesn't. I worked for this screwed up company for years. They don't care one bit about their employees or their customers. They spend more time kissing the rear-end of Wal-Mart, another fine example! It ought to be illegal to send so many jobs overseas. It burdens tax payers in so many ways. The unemployed victims end up on unemployment benefits, get food stamps, then go into forclosure for which they seek assistance from the government. God Bless America...she sure needs it!
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( jakecrash ) on June 1, 2008 at 12:18 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
This is just corporate greed at it's finest.
These people do the same BS every year.
Their stock goes down half a point and they use those numbers to justify cutting off the heads of working Americans, while they never even consider a paycut for anyone at the top corporate levels.
They bait and switch to keep people on until these mudhut dwellers can learn enough english to do the job for $.25 an hour and be happy to get it.
It's exploitation no matter how you slice it.
These a@#holes do it all the time and as far as a boycott, what do they care if their numbers go down all they will do is outsource more jobs on lower levels and they don't miss a beat.
I wonder if these people know what will happen to the country when there's nowhere else to cut.
Desperate people get desparate.
Bottom line, people need to eat and they will do whatever it takes to provide for their families.
What will happen is descent hardworking people will end up being thugs and criminals to put food on their tables.
Congrats corporate a holes when the masses revolt I'd lock the door on that Escalade if I were you.
Sleep tight a@#holes
Report Inappropriate Comments