Beverage maker Cott sells its beverage-making business for US$1.25B
by Canadian Manufacturing.com Staff with files from The Canadian Press
The transaction includes Cott's North America, U.K., and Mexico businesses, but does not include the RCI International cola division or the Aimia Foods division, which Cott acquired in May 2014
TORONTO—Cott Corp. has signed a deal to sell its traditional beverage manufacturing business to Dutch company Refresco for US$1.25 billion.
The company’s Cott Beverages division is one of the world’s largest producers of drinks on behalf of retailers, brand owners and distributors.
The transaction includes Cott’s North America, U.K., and Mexico businesses, but does not include the RCI International cola division and its associated concentrate facility as well as the Aimia Foods division, which Cott acquired in May 2014.
Cott said the sale will help position it to better grow its water, coffee, tea and filtration businesses both organically and with acquisitions.
“After a thorough strategic review in 2013, we developed an accelerated diversification and acquisition strategy in order to transform our company,” Cott chief executive Jerry Fowden said in a press release.
The company says Cott Beverages generates approximately $1.7 billion in revenues with a management team with longstanding customer relationships in North America and the U.K. After the transaction closes, Cott Beverages’ leadership team will report to the executive board of Refresco.
“This transaction is very much in line with this strategy, and enables our traditional business to become an integral part of a larger global beverage manufacturing company that pursues the same high customer service and quality standards Cott has been known for throughout its history.”
Proceeds from the sale are expected to be used to help reduce debt.
Refresco is an independent bottler of soft drinks and fruit juices for retailers and brands with production in Europe and the United States.
“This transaction is a significant enhancement to our buy and build strategy, which will provide Refresco with enlarged scale, synergies, and savings alongside Refresco’s manufacturing footprint, geographic diversity, product range and customer service,” Refresco chief executive Hans Roelofs said in a statement.
The deal is expected to close in the second half of this year, subject to certain closing conditions including regulatory approval, Refresco shareholder approval, and working capital adjustments.
