Cola Couronne, officially the Brasserie de la Couronne, was established in 1924 in downtown Port-au-Prince. No one could foresee that the company would become one of the largest employers in Haiti and provide tens of thousands of jobs in manufacturing and distribution for Haitians living in the area.
In the 1950s, Richard J. Forgham acquired the firm and then sold it to brothers Raymond and Roger Jaar in 1983. The plant was moved to a 33-acre site three years later, vastly improving its capacity. In 1995, thanks to several infrastructure upgrades, the plant’s productivity was significantly improved, which led to even more jobs becoming available locally.
Over the years, the company has sponsored many cultural and sporting events in Haiti and supported schools, hospitals, and associations that offer help to the local community.
Massive Investments Over the Years
In 2010, Cola Couronne invested nearly $16 million in more technical improvements and infrastructure. It’s estimated that another $30 million was invested over the next five years to build a wastewater treatment facility, procure trucks and coolers, add a new PET line, and upgrade a new line to bottle juice. These investments created around 1,000 new jobs
Today, Cola Couronne is a massive private-sector employer in Haiti and one of the country’s oldest companies. Their UTC promotions have helped gather scholarship funds and purchase school supplies in Port-au-Prince and other provinces and greatly, impacted local economies. Cola Couronne also serves the US and Canadian Haitian communities through its local presence in these countries.
Cola Couronne is the most popular carbonated drink in Haiti, with both the young and old generations preferring it over any other drink. This also contributes to the company’s growth and development, which further leads to a greater economic impact. This is bound to bring massive benefits to the country!
Undeniable Social and Cultural Impact
Due to Cola Couronne constant presence in Haiti, carbonated drinks have become an iconic part of the local culture and cuisine. The drink is often consumed at cultural events, family gatherings, and other special occasions, becoming a synonym for celebration and tradition for Haitian people. It has also become a symbol of national pride and unity for Haitians living in the diaspora.
Cola Couronne has indelibly marked both the economy and culture of Haiti, and there is no separating them now. Currently, the company is selling a variety of products both in the country and beyond. They include:
- Cola Couronne Fruit Champagne
- Diète Couronne Fruit Champagne
- Couronne Limonade
- Diète Couronne Limonade
We also know the company plans to make further investments in local infrastructure and create more jobs. The local economy can only benefit from Cola Couronne’s development, and we sincerely hope they’ll keep evolving to become Haiti’s foremost employer.