Frucor, Groupe Danone’s Australian and New Zealand beverage business, has reportedly drawn the attention of a number of trade suitors as private equity firms drop out of the bidding. Danone has not yet officially put Frucor on the market but they announced a thorough review was underway in August and, with their recent refocus on health and wellness products, speculation of a sale has been strong. Frucor, New Zealand’s second largest non-alcoholic beverage manufacturer, is valued by analysts... ...Read more »

Cadbury has announced third quarter revenue growth of 6 per cent, in-line with expectations, as the caution of consumers fails to dampen their profit expectations. Australian results, dragged down by a 5% decline in beverage sales, were not as impressive. Cadbury reported a renewed focus on strengthening their global chocolate, gum and candy divisions and new initiatives in their Vision into Action (VIA) strategy. They will change their structure, with four regions to become seven; including Asia-Pacific... ...Read more »

Reports suggest that strong interest has been generated in both the potential sales of Cadbury’s Australian beverage division and Frucor - owned by Danone. Companies consistently linked to bids have included P&N Beverages, Coca-Cola Amatil and National Foods, although competition concerns could play  a factor in the process, with Coca-Cola Amatil likely to be the most heavily scrutinised by the ACCC - according to analysts. Groupe Danone reported at the end of August that a review of their... ...Read more »

Rumours continue to circulate that Pepsi are sounding out new bottlers for their brands in New Zealand and Australia. The Australian Financial Review last week reported that PepsiCo was discussing their options with potential bottlers in the wake of news that both their New Zealand and Australian partners were reviewing their operations. Frucor, a subsidiary of Danone, is Pepsi’s current New Zealand bottler and Danone recently indicated that a review of operations is underway, with... ...Read more »

Cadbury has informed the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) that they are proposing to sell their beverage business in Australia. Rumours had been circulating for months that a sale was on the cards following the demerger of Cadbury-Schweppes in the US which left Australia as the only country where Cadbury’s confectionery and beverage units were combined. Coca-Cola Amatil (CCA) CEO Terry Davis has also fuelled rumours of a Schweppes sale by indicating CCA would be interested... ...Read more »

Speculation continues to mount that Japanese-based Kirin Holdings will make a play for the drinks unit of Cadbury Schweppes in Australia. The Japanese beverage giant already has significant operations in Australia following last year’s $2b purchase of dairy company National Foods. They also have a 46% stake in Lion Nathan Australia and a purchase of Schweppes would mean they would be a major player in the dairy, beer and soft drink sectors. Cadbury announced a review of their beverage operations... ...Read more »

Cadbury has announced a review of their beverage operations here in Australia, upon reporting strong first half growth in 2008. The news has sparked speculation that a sale of their Australian beverage business could be in the offing. Following the demerger of Cadbury Schweppes in the US, Australia is the only remaining country where Cadbury has a combined beverage and confectionery business. As such, it has been anticipated that they would strongly consider separating the two sectors of their Australian... ...Read more »

The five year association between Schweppes and Red Bull GmbH is about to come to an end. In July 2003 Red Bull Australia and Schweppes formed a distribution alliance, with Schweppes to assist with sales, distribution and merchandising of the popular energy drink. In most countries Red Bull takes sole responsibility for distribution, but the association with Schweppes was made due to the strength of their network in Australia and the resulting ability to increase sales of the product. The... ...Read more »

Ever since the AGM of Coca-Cola Amatil (CCA) in the middle of May rumours have been circulating that CCA will consider a takeover of Foster’s or the beverage operations of Cadbury-Schweppes. The rumours strengthened when CCA CEO, Terry Davis, told reporters at the time that a purchase of Schweppes would make sense. However, some believed this was merely a diversion and their real target was Foster’s. Mr Davis has now quashed the Foster’s speculation via an interview with... ...Read more »

Rumours are circulating that beverage company Coca-Cola Amatil (CCA) is looking to make a major purchase, with Schweppes or Foster’s likely to be their target. The rumours have been gathering strength since CCA’s CEO, Terry Davis, told reporters that it would make sense for them to look into a potential purchase of Schweppes, following their AGM last week. This is not the first time CCA have outlined their interest in Schweppes, with a $1.85 billion acquisition of the company... ...Read more »