ABARTA history

Adams followed his entrepreneurial path in 1953 by purchasing The Atlantic City Press (which later became The Press of Atlantic City). He grew the company further when he purchased a partial interest in the Bethlehem and Pittsburgh, PA Coca-Cola bottling franchises.

Our relationship with Coca-Cola, our customers and partners began more than a half-century ago when ABARTA founder Rolland Adams and his three sons-in-law acquired the Bethlehem Coca-Cola and Pittsburgh Coca-Cola bottling operations in 1963.

In 1964, Adams sold his interest in The Atlantic City Press to ABARTA, moving additional assets to the second generation.

But when she passed away in 1969, predeceasing Rolland, the three Adams daughters inherited The Bethlehem Globe and his remaining Coca-Cola interests.

ABARTA Energy, also known as ABARTA Oil & Gas Co., LLC, was founded in 1979 as a way to further diversify ABARTA’s interests.

In 1990, the family began a robust family business planning process, understanding that the chances of a smooth succession to the next generation and continued success of the enterprise were much greater if the family had a shared vision and worked together toward common goals.

During the transition, this next generation of leaders relied on the expertise of the independent directors on the Board of Directors which had been established in 1996 by the second generation.

The third generation of ABARTA continued the company’s growth and diversification in 2007 when it acquired a 90% interest in Kahiki Foods in Columbus, Ohio.

In 2017, ABARTA Coca-Cola Beverages (ACCB) was created with the acquisition of sales and distribution rights for most of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, along with retention of existing franchise territories including Cleveland, Ohio.

Charles Bitzer was named CEO of ABARTA in 2019, after having previously served as COO of ABARTA and President of ACCB.