Coke bottler Equatorial Coca-Cola Bottling Company is to buy Ghana-based businesses Voltic (GH) and West African Refreshments.
The financial terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.
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Voltic is a subsidiary of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa. West African Refreshments (WARL) is a subsidiary of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa and The Coca-Cola Company.
In a joint statement, Equatorial Coca-Cola Bottling Company (ECCBC) and Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) said the deal will reinforce ECCBC’s position as a “leading authorised bottler” within the Coca-Cola system in Africa.
The transaction will “enhance [ECCBC’s] ability to serve the Ghanaian market more effectively and efficiently”, they added. ECCBC, which is already present in 13 African countries including Ghana, will oversee the bottling and sales of drinks in Ghana including Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite and Voltic.
ECCBC CEO Alfonso Bosch said: “This acquisition presents significant opportunities to enhance our service offerings and deliver a positive impact to our stakeholders.”
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By GlobalDataCCBA is the eighth-largest Coca-Cola authorised bottler by revenue, representing over 40% of the volume of Coca-Cola-branded beverages sold in Africa.
Sunil Gupta, CEO of CCBA, said: “This transaction allows CCBA to focus our attention on our core markets in southern and east Africa and prioritise resources for sustainable growth opportunities on the continent.”
CCBA operates in 15 countries, with key markets including South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Mozambique, and Namibia.
In November, CCBA made a $50m investment in a new bottling line at its plant in Windhoek in Namibia.
The new bottling line, capable of producing 27,000 bottles per hour, will increase the facility’s production capacity by 30%.
CCBA operates two bottling plants in Namibia, in Windhoek and Oshakati, which produce 11 brands including Appletiser sparkling apple juice, Predator energy drinks and Fanta. It also manages warehouses in Otjiwarongo, Walvis Bay and Keetmanshoop.
