Thanks to their perseverance and commitment to bettering the communities they serve, Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company is 2009’s Bottler of the Year according to the beverage industry publication, Beverage World.

Beverage World provides market insight to beverage producers and distributors worldwide. The monthly publication reaches 34,000 subscribers in the United States and 14,000 International subscribers.

Company President Edwin “Cookie” Rice, Jr. said he and his staff are pleased with the award, and proud of the accomplishments that led to it. “The strength of this management team can be described in two words – personal commitment. They are knowledgeable and have industry experience. Customer Service is a top priority,” said Rice.

It addition to an exhaustive list of SKUs, the company operates an ambitious recycling program. Rice also noted that because the company is still family-owned after more than a century, it attracts dedicated employees and is able to react nimbly to consumer trends.

“I tell people that I haven’t worked in 56 years because I don’t consider it work going to the plant. I consider it a pleasure- the people I know and work with feel the same way,” he added.