Manufacture

Soft drink manufacturers are a major part of the United States economy. Soft drinks and bottled water make up an intrinsic part of the way of life. Over 500 beverage manufacturers and bottling companies operate in the multi-billion dollar US market. Soft drink companies also affect other parts of the U.S. economy, buying products and services from many different industries, creating thousands of jobs, and contributing to worthwhile causes in local communities.

Flavoring

Soft drink flavorings are the number one product purchased by manufacturers, followed by metal cans and plastics used for packaging. The beverage industry requires a great deal of corn syrup, glass containers, shipping boxes, bottle caps, fruits and vegetables, carbonated water, sugar, advertising services, motor freight, warehousing and many other products and services used in the manufacture of soft drinks.

Production

Soft drinks manufacturers produce syrups and bases and shop them to bottling operations that add sweeteners and/or carbonated water to produce the final product. Independent bottlers work under contract with various soft drink manufacturers. In addition to the syrups and bases, manufacturers provide the bottlers with a variety of business services, including product quality control, marketing, advertising, engineering, finance and personnel training. In turn, the bottlers supply the required capital investment for land, buildings, machinery, equipment, trucks, bottles and cases.