Coca‑Cola announced a $650 million investment to expand its Fairlife production at the Coopersville, Michigan facility, adding two high‑speed lines and 245,000 square feet of new space.
The expansion will increase Fairlife’s capacity by about 30% over the next five years, enabling the company to meet growing demand for its ultra‑filtered, lactose‑free milk and protein shakes. The project will create roughly 150 new jobs and is scheduled to begin construction in 2026, with commercial production expected in 2028.
Fairlife, which Coca‑Cola fully acquired in January 2020, has grown to more than $1 billion in U.S. retail sales by 2022 and is positioned as a high‑margin segment within Coca‑Cola’s portfolio. The investment reflects the company’s strategy to shift toward higher‑margin functional beverages and to strengthen its “all‑weather” growth engine.
The expansion is part of a broader effort to diversify beyond traditional carbonated soft drinks. By adding capacity to a premium, protein‑rich brand, Coca‑Cola can capture a share of the rapidly expanding protein‑drink market, which is projected to grow faster than the overall beverage category. The company’s asset‑light, franchise model allows it to invest in production capacity while keeping capital intensity low.
State incentives support the project, including a $3.9 million abatement and a $17 million grant for water infrastructure in Coopersville. Coca‑Cola also plans to open a new Fairlife facility in Webster, New York, and already operates plants in Goodyear, Arizona, and other locations, indicating a multi‑site strategy to meet national demand.
In its 2026 outlook, Coca‑Cola expects 4‑5% organic revenue growth and 7‑8% EPS growth, underscoring confidence that the Fairlife expansion will contribute to margin expansion and free‑cash‑flow generation while reinforcing the company’s high‑margin portfolio mix.
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