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The Guardian
5 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
From sixth tier to Swiss Cup final: Biel-Bienne ready for time of their lives
The Swiss Cup was established in 1925 and with the competition celebrating its centenary a remarkable story has emerged – a third division team has reached the final for the first time. Meet FC Biel-Bienne, who survived bankruptcy less than a decade ago, have problems competing with an ice hockey club, and whose sporting director injured himself while jumping for joy. They come from a special town too. Biel/Bienne is the biggest bilingual city in Switzerland – Biel is the German name and Bienne is the French one. Until 2005 they were used separately until it was decided to unite them, true to the spirit of the community. The town is famous for being the watch capital of Switzerland. The Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry is based there, as is the Swatch headquarters and the Rolex factory. The stadium is named the Tissot Arena, sponsored by the luxury watch brand owned by the Swatch group. It is multi-purpose and unique, combining a football stadium and an ice hockey arena. Ice hockey is more popular in the city than football, as EHC Biel-Bienne play in the top division and FC Biel-Bienne do not. Gone are the days when they were a major force, winning the title in 1947 and finishing second in 1948 and 1960. 'We were established in 1896 and are one of the oldest football clubs in the country,' says the FC Biel-Bienne president, Dietmar Faes. 'The traditions are great, and we used to have patrons from the watch industry. But things changed during the last 50 years and it became difficult to raise money and compete with a very successful ice hockey team that leads the sponsorship market in our area.' The club went bankrupt in 2016 and very nearly disappeared from the football map. 'We started over in the sixth division, and had nothing,' the FC Biel-Bienne financial director, Mauro Ierep, says. 'No balls, no shirts, no sponsors, nothing at all. A local entrepreneur gave us €20,000 to start the season and cover initial expenses. The goal was to reach the fourth division in two years and it was achieved. Three more years were needed to get promoted to the third division 'The budget gradually increased to €1m thanks to the arrival of Core Sports Capital, whose Swiss owner, Ahmet Schaefer, is also the president of Clermont Foot in France. Nevertheless, most of the management team are volunteers, and we only have eight professional footballers. The rest are students or have other jobs and all training sessions take place in the evening so that everyone can take part.' The coach is inexperienced as well. The 35-year-old Frenchman Samir Chaibeddra worked as an assistant at a magnificently named Goal FC in his homeland, before joining Biel-Bienne in March 2023 and saving them from relegation to fourth division. He has proven himself a sound tactician and motivator and the team finished third last term. This season, returning to the second division was the main goal. At first the cup run was just an unexpected bonus. Biel-Bienne surprisingly won against second-tier Neuchâtel Xamax in round one, and then overcame a couple of minnows to reach the quarter-finals. 'We wanted to get a big game at home to have a nice boost for our finances, and got one,' the sporting director, Oliver Zesiger, says. 'Lugano led the top division at the time. We defended deep, didn't concede many chances and scored on a counter. We were later told it was offside, but there was no VAR and the referees allowed it to stand. In injury time, Lugano sent their goalkeeper up and we made it 2-0 into the empty net.' Young Boys, the reigning champions, awaited in the semi-finals. 'They are our geographical rivals, at least as we are concerned,' says Zesiger. 'People from Biel/Bienne don't like those from Berne. We really wanted to play them and the tickets went extremely fast. 'Young Boys were clear favourites, of course. We lost 6-0 against them in a friendly in the winter. We face their reserve team in the third division twice a season. And yet, we were quietly confident that we could surprise them.' Every effort was made to prepare the players for something they had never experienced. 'We played fan chants loudly during the training sessions, so that the guys would learn how to communicate in a noisy environment,' adds Zesiger. There was also a major novelty as VAR was installed at the Tissot Arena for the first time. That was symbolic because Biel-Bienne had an old score to settle. 'In 2019, we played against Young Boys in the first round and the referee stole the win from us,' says Faes. 'We led in injury time and he mistakenly awarded the corner from which they scored the equalising goal. That was devastating.' Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion This year's fixture was not without controversy either. A penalty for Biel-Bienne was ruled out by VAR because the contact took place outside the area and the game ended goalless at 90 minutes. In extra time, another penalty was awarded when the Biel-Bienne striker Loïc Socka, on loan from Clermont, collided with the goalkeeper. Well, maybe. The touch was questionable, but VAR could not rule it out and chose not to intervene. Malko Sartoretti, a young striker on loan from Lausanne, stepped forward. 'Strangely, I didn't feel nervous,' he says. 'I told myself that it only could be a good outcome if I score.' It went in and Biel-Bienne managed to keep a clean sheet until Young Boys equalised with the last kick of the game. Everyone was shocked, only to be relieved when VAR disallowed the goal for handball. The celebrations were so wild that Zesiger was injured while jumping and hugging the press officer. 'I ruptured a ligament in my knee, but will go to the final nevertheless,' he says, smiling. The following day, the team watched the other semi-final between Basel and Lausanne. Sartoretti wanted to face the club he belongs to, but the newly crowned champions Basel sealed a dramatic win, and now the amateurs of Biel-Biennemeet Xherdan Shaqiri and co in the final in Berne on Sunday. The 33-year-old veteran has been in superb form, but the underdogs are ready for the greatest day of their lives. The excitement and attention was difficult for the team to deal with and Biel-Bienne lost crucial games in the third division, missing out on a promotion. 'Mentally and physically that was too much for us,' Zesiger says. They would find themselves in the Conference League if they produce another sensational result. 'The only secret is that we have a very united group,' says the captain, Anthony de Freitas, who played for Port Vale between 2016 and 2018. 'We are courageous, and make efforts for each other. There is a lot of serenity, calmness and confidence in the dressing room. We were compact at the back against two top division rivals and there is no reason not to try and beat Basel too. 'We have shown that everything is possible, so why not this time?' says Sartoretti. Biel-Bienne fans think the same – in German and French – and their watches are ticking in unison.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Arca Continental Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages Begins Expansion of Oklahoma City Distribution Center
$36 million project to expand local bottling facility and increase operational capacity OKLAHOMA CITY, May 27, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Arca Continental Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages (AC-CCSWB), one of the largest Coca-Cola bottlers in the U.S., has begun construction on an expansion project at its Oklahoma City distribution center located at 600 N May Ave. The expanded facility will include 88 trailer spots, 23 docks and 75 tractor parking spots, significantly enhancing CCSWB's operational efficiency and capacity. With more room for vehicles and improved loading access, the investment will streamline daily operations, reduce turnaround times for delivery and better support the timely distribution of Coca-Cola products across Oklahoma City. The new facility will also include a new office space and expanded associate parking. The $36 million investment will support the construction of a 210,000-square-foot warehouse and an 11,600-square-foot fleet building, with completion expected by Q2 2026. As the local Coca-Cola bottler for Texas and parts of Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Arkansas, AC-CCSWB delivers products to more than 31 million consumers. With a history in the Oklahoma City community spanning more than 98 years, CCSWB currently employs nearly 625 associates in the area. "This expansion provides the infrastructure we need to operate more efficiently and further strengthen our customer service experience to meet increasing consumer demand," said Jean Claude Tissot, president of AC-CCSWB. "As Oklahoma's local Coca-Cola bottler, we're investing in the people, systems and community partnerships that keep our business and this region moving forward." The Oklahoma City expansion follows similar investments in Fort Worth and San Antonio, Texas, where AC-CCSWB has added new distribution capacity, modernized logistics operations and enhanced service routes to support continued population and retail growth across the regions. "Oklahoma City continues to grow, and we want to grow with it. This expansion allows us to better support our consumers, customers and associates while ensuring we're equipped to meet the needs of this community for years to come," said Tissot. About Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages Dallas-based Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages (CCSWB), a company of Arca Continental, is one of the largest Coca-Cola bottlers in the United States. CCSWB produces, markets and distributes Coca-Cola brands throughout Texas and parts of New Mexico, Oklahoma and Arkansas. The company employs more than 9,000 associates who operate 7 production plants and 37 distribution facilities, serving more than 31 million consumers. Headquartered in Monterrey, Mexico, Arca Continental is one of the largest Coca-Cola bottlers in the world with an outstanding history spanning more than 99 years. Within its Coca-Cola franchise, Arca Continental serves more than 128 million consumers in Mexico, Argentina, Ecuador, Peru and the Southwestern U.S. Arca Continental also produces and markets snacks under the brand names Wise in the U.S., Bokados in Mexico and Inalecsa in Ecuador. For more information, visit and View source version on Contacts Jimena RamirezFor Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages972-955-5014jramirez@ Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Arca Continental Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages Begins Expansion of Oklahoma City Distribution Center
$36 million project to expand local bottling facility and increase operational capacity OKLAHOMA CITY, May 27, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Arca Continental Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages (AC-CCSWB), one of the largest Coca-Cola bottlers in the U.S., has begun construction on an expansion project at its Oklahoma City distribution center located at 600 N May Ave. The expanded facility will include 88 trailer spots, 23 docks and 75 tractor parking spots, significantly enhancing CCSWB's operational efficiency and capacity. With more room for vehicles and improved loading access, the investment will streamline daily operations, reduce turnaround times for delivery and better support the timely distribution of Coca-Cola products across Oklahoma City. The new facility will also include a new office space and expanded associate parking. The $36 million investment will support the construction of a 210,000-square-foot warehouse and an 11,600-square-foot fleet building, with completion expected by Q2 2026. As the local Coca-Cola bottler for Texas and parts of Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Arkansas, AC-CCSWB delivers products to more than 31 million consumers. With a history in the Oklahoma City community spanning more than 98 years, CCSWB currently employs nearly 625 associates in the area. "This expansion provides the infrastructure we need to operate more efficiently and further strengthen our customer service experience to meet increasing consumer demand," said Jean Claude Tissot, president of AC-CCSWB. "As Oklahoma's local Coca-Cola bottler, we're investing in the people, systems and community partnerships that keep our business and this region moving forward." The Oklahoma City expansion follows similar investments in Fort Worth and San Antonio, Texas, where AC-CCSWB has added new distribution capacity, modernized logistics operations and enhanced service routes to support continued population and retail growth across the regions. "Oklahoma City continues to grow, and we want to grow with it. This expansion allows us to better support our consumers, customers and associates while ensuring we're equipped to meet the needs of this community for years to come," said Tissot. About Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages Dallas-based Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages (CCSWB), a company of Arca Continental, is one of the largest Coca-Cola bottlers in the United States. CCSWB produces, markets and distributes Coca-Cola brands throughout Texas and parts of New Mexico, Oklahoma and Arkansas. The company employs more than 9,000 associates who operate 7 production plants and 37 distribution facilities, serving more than 31 million consumers. Headquartered in Monterrey, Mexico, Arca Continental is one of the largest Coca-Cola bottlers in the world with an outstanding history spanning more than 99 years. Within its Coca-Cola franchise, Arca Continental serves more than 128 million consumers in Mexico, Argentina, Ecuador, Peru and the Southwestern U.S. Arca Continental also produces and markets snacks under the brand names Wise in the U.S., Bokados in Mexico and Inalecsa in Ecuador. For more information, visit and View source version on Contacts Jimena RamirezFor Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages972-955-5014jramirez@
Business Wire
27-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Arca Continental Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages Begins Expansion of Oklahoma City Distribution Center
OKLAHOMA CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Arca Continental Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages (AC-CCSWB), one of the largest Coca-Cola bottlers in the U.S., has begun construction on an expansion project at its Oklahoma City distribution center located at 600 N May Ave. The expanded facility will include 88 trailer spots, 23 docks and 75 tractor parking spots, significantly enhancing CCSWB's operational efficiency and capacity. With more room for vehicles and improved loading access, the investment will streamline daily operations, reduce turnaround times for delivery and better support the timely distribution of Coca-Cola products across Oklahoma City. The new facility will also include a new office space and expanded associate parking. The $36 million investment will support the construction of a 210,000-square-foot warehouse and an 11,600-square-foot fleet building, with completion expected by Q2 2026. As the local Coca-Cola bottler for Texas and parts of Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Arkansas, AC-CCSWB delivers products to more than 31 million consumers. With a history in the Oklahoma City community spanning more than 98 years, CCSWB currently employs nearly 625 associates in the area. 'This expansion provides the infrastructure we need to operate more efficiently and further strengthen our customer service experience to meet increasing consumer demand,' said Jean Claude Tissot, president of AC-CCSWB. 'As Oklahoma's local Coca-Cola bottler, we're investing in the people, systems and community partnerships that keep our business and this region moving forward.' The Oklahoma City expansion follows similar investments in Fort Worth and San Antonio, Texas, where AC-CCSWB has added new distribution capacity, modernized logistics operations and enhanced service routes to support continued population and retail growth across the regions. 'Oklahoma City continues to grow, and we want to grow with it. This expansion allows us to better support our consumers, customers and associates while ensuring we're equipped to meet the needs of this community for years to come,' said Tissot. About Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages Dallas-based Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages (CCSWB), a company of Arca Continental, is one of the largest Coca-Cola bottlers in the United States. CCSWB produces, markets and distributes Coca-Cola brands throughout Texas and parts of New Mexico, Oklahoma and Arkansas. The company employs more than 9,000 associates who operate 7 production plants and 37 distribution facilities, serving more than 31 million consumers. Headquartered in Monterrey, Mexico, Arca Continental is one of the largest Coca-Cola bottlers in the world with an outstanding history spanning more than 99 years. Within its Coca-Cola franchise, Arca Continental serves more than 128 million consumers in Mexico, Argentina, Ecuador, Peru and the Southwestern U.S. Arca Continental also produces and markets snacks under the brand names Wise in the U.S., Bokados in Mexico and Inalecsa in Ecuador. For more information, visit and
Tatler Asia
26-05-2025
- Tatler Asia
Beyond the PRX: Why the new Tissot PRC 100 Solar deserves your attention
Blending modern solar technology with a bold architectural design, Tissot's PRC 100 Solar reinvents an early digital age favourite, offering a stylish and sustainable alternative to the retro PRX With its 1970s-inspired lines, integrated bracelet, and accessible pricing, it's no wonder the Tissot PRX has become a big hit. But just as the PRX captured the current zeitgeist of retro refinement, Tissot's new PRC 100 Solar presents a thoroughly modern proposition. Tissot updates the mid-2000s classic with the cutting-edge Lightmaster Solar Quartz movement. Beneath its crisp silhouette, the PRC 100 Solar converts natural and artificial light that passes through discreet solar panels into energy, resulting in a reliable timepiece designed for ease in daily life. Excess energy is stored in a rechargeable accumulator. Read more: Watches and Wonders 2025: Arguably affordable watches straight from the Geneva fair
