Arca Continental Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages (AC-CCSWB), a key U.S. business unit of Arca Continental and one of the largest Coca-Cola bottlers in the world, has emerged as the global winner of the 2024 Candler Cup—an esteemed honor that recognizes outstanding execution and performance across the global Coca-Cola bottling system.
The Candler Cup, named after Asa Candler—founder of The Coca-Cola Company—represents the pinnacle of excellence within the Coca-Cola bottling network. It is awarded annually to the bottler that achieves exceptional results in execution, growth, and cultural impact, standing out among dozens of contenders from around the world.
AC-CCSWB’s recognition as the 2024 Candler Cup winner reflects its extraordinary performance across multiple key metrics, including top-line revenue growth, operational execution, investment in talent and leadership, and its steadfast commitment to cultivating a values-driven, employee-first culture. The achievement solidifies AC-CCSWB’s place as a leading force within the Coca-Cola system and exemplifies the company’s broader mission to generate long-term value for customers, employees, and communities.
Standing Out Among Global Peers
In the highly competitive Candler Cup race, AC-CCSWB competed against eight top-performing Coca-Cola bottlers across different regions. These bottlers were rigorously evaluated based on core performance indicators such as volume growth, market share gains, strategic capability building, and success in cultural integration. The final selection was peer-driven—decided by leaders across the Coca-Cola system—making AC-CCSWB’s victory even more significant.
Prior to its global win, AC-CCSWB secured its place in the international finals by outperforming all U.S. bottlers in the 2024 Market Street Challenge, Coca-Cola North America’s top internal performance competition. AC-CCSWB has now earned this title three times since 2018—demonstrating a pattern of consistent excellence over the years and further validating its operational strength in one of the company’s most competitive markets.
Leadership Perspectives: Culture, People, and Purpose
Commenting on the milestone, Arturo Gutiérrez Hernández, CEO of Arca Continental, emphasized the foundational role that AC-CCSWB’s team and culture play in the company’s global success.
“Securing the prestigious Candler Cup award from Coca-Cola reaffirms Arca Continental’s vision to lead in every market we serve,” said Gutiérrez. “It highlights our enduring commitment to delivering shared value throughout the Coca-Cola ecosystem—anchored by our dedicated associates and a relentless drive to make a positive difference.”
Jean Claude Tissot, president of AC-CCSWB, echoed the importance of the team behind the achievement:
“This award is a testament to the dedication of our frontline heroes, whose unwavering commitment and hard work drive the very heart of our company’s success. Their efforts embody the spirit of excellence that defines AC-CCSWB and the results we deliver across every part of our territory.”
Tissot also pointed to the organization’s strategic integration of best practices across the U.S. and Latin America, which has given AC-CCSWB a unique identity since its formation. “By uniting cultural values, operational knowledge, and innovation from both regions, we’ve built a business model that is not only competitive but sustainable,” he said.
A Unique Journey of Growth and Impact
Since its creation in 2017, AC-CCSWB has rapidly scaled its operations, combining the strengths of two major regions into a cohesive, high-performing entity. Headquartered in Texas, the company serves a population of over 30 million people across parts of Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Arkansas—playing a vital role in the refreshment and economic health of these communities.
In 2024, AC-CCSWB marked its most successful year to date. The company achieved record results across all major performance areas, including transaction volume, revenue, market share, and in-store execution. The remarkable growth trajectory over the past five years has seen the business double in size—an accomplishment the company attributes directly to its employee-centric strategy.
At the core of AC-CCSWB’s continued success is a deeply rooted organizational culture that places people first. Leadership has invested significantly in talent development, associate recognition, and employee engagement programs. As a result, AC-CCSWB has consistently achieved top-tier engagement scores, contributing to a 98% growth rate over the past five years.
This people-first approach has become a hallmark of the company’s leadership philosophy and a critical competitive advantage in an industry undergoing continuous transformation.
Recognition Beyond the Candler Cup
AC-CCSWB’s winning streak extends beyond the Coca-Cola system. Over the past year, the company has also earned several other notable accolades, further demonstrating its reputation for operational excellence and partnership strength.
These include the AC Cup—an internal recognition from Arca Continental honoring excellence across the parent company’s business units—and the Master of the Claw award from Monster Beverage Corporation, which celebrates outstanding sales performance and distribution partnership.
Each of these awards reinforces the depth of AC-CCSWB’s commitment to delivering results, nurturing strong commercial relationships, and leading through integrity and innovation.
