Coca-Cola Middle East region receives Woodruff Cup for their exceptional performance throughout 2004

The Cup was awarded to the Eurasia/Middle East Division in a gala dinner celebration held in Dubai at the Royal Meridian Hotel.

Senior Coca-Cola managers from around the world gathered to recognize their local bottlers' achievement of double digit growth rates, an achievement that placed them at the top of the 25 divisions worldwide that compete every year for the prestigious award. Highlights from the Division's performance included a 17% increase in gross profits.

Rafik Al Toukhi, Coca-Cola Middle East Region Manager, credited the award to the efforts of the local people behind the global brand. Bottlers, distributors, suppliers, and customers, all contributed to deliver levels of performance that outshone those of other markets, proving the region's capabilities and its ability to deliver standards of excellence that deserve worldwide recognition.

'Our Division's performance is a tribute to the team work that exemplifies what can be achieved between local bottlers, regional suppliers, and global support in the delivery of quality refreshment to the communities we serve.' Said Rafik Al Toukhi on the occasion. 'Once again, we have proven that by listening to our customers, providing them with the best quality and variety to meet their refreshment needs, and acting as a responsible corporate citizen contributing to the communities we serve, we are able to achieve business success that reflects our customers' support and backing'.

The Woodruff Cup was first introduced in the Coca-Cola system in 1983, when Robert Woodruff and the Coca-Cola Company decided to give an award to their most outstanding division from the Company's 25 worldwide divisions. The original cup, which was produced by Estes-Simmons, is cast bronze, silver plated, and stands on a black lacquered wooden base. The original is on display at the Coca-Cola Worldwide headquarters in Atlanta.