Coca-Cola Bottling Company Consolidated (Coke), a North Carolina-based largest independent Coca-Cola bottler, has reported net income of $32.3m for the first nine months of 2013 against net income of $25.4m in the comparable period in 2012.

For the third quarter (Q3) of 2013, Coke net income increased from $10.1m in 2012 to $16.2m.

Net sales for the first nine months of 2013 increased to $1,247m from net sales of $1,227.7m in the corresponding period in 2012.

The company reported net sales of $434.5m in Q3 2013, up from $419.9m in the same period last year.

Coke chairman and CEO J Frank Harrison said after a challenging first half of 2013, they saw a return of more normal weather patterns during the third quarter which helped drive revenue growth of 3.5% and earnings per share growth, on a comparable basis, of 30% in the third quarter.

"We are maintaining our long-term focus on growing our business and investing in the brands we sell and the communities we serve," Harrison added.

"Our work on acquiring new territory is continuing and we are excited about the possibility of increasing the opportunities for territory growth in our Coca-Cola franchise."

Coke president and COO Hank Flint said their third quarter results reflect a more favourable selling environment than they experienced during the first half of 2013.

"The increase in revenue and favorable trends in pricing on key raw materials drove stronger gross margin growth. The gross margin growth, combined with an intense focus on controlling operating costs, led to an increase in operating income of 10% over the third quarter of 2012," Flint added.

"We are focused on continuing to drive top-line growth while driving efficiency throughout our operations to grow earnings for the remainder of 2013."