Coca-Cola Bottling has signed a non-binding letter of intent (LOI) with The Coca-Cola Company to expand its distribution network in parts of Ohio and West Virginia.

The company will also acquire and manage a production facility in Twinsburg, Ohio.

Coca-Cola Bottling will now have exclusive distribution rights in parts of northern Ohio and northern West Virginia, including primary markets such as Toledo, Willoughby, Akron, Elyria and Youngstown County in Ohio.

At present, The Coca-Cola Company’s subsidiary, Coca-Cola Refreshments USA serves these regions and operates the Twinsburg facility.

The transactions mentioned in the LOI are subject to the parties reaching definitive agreements, with planned closures in 2017.

However, there is no guarantee that a definitive agreement will be attained or the closings of the transactions contemplated by the LoI will take place.

Coca-Cola Bottling chairman and CEO Frank Harrison said: "We are excited about this opportunity to expand our Company into additional markets.

"We are continuing to integrate recently acquired distribution territories and look forward to serving new customers, consumers, communities and employees in Ohio and West Virginia."

Coca-Cola Bottling has recently acquired a production plant at Sandston, Virginia.

The company is also planning to complete the acquisition of two other plants in Baltimore and Silver Spring from The Coca-Cola Company.