Coca-Cola has installed 35 new climate-friendly vending machines at the US Government’s Capitol buildings in Washington, D.C., home of the US House of Representatives. The new HFC-free (hydro-fluorocarbon free) cooling technology has around 1430 times less impact on global warming than a standard vending machine, and will reduce indirect greenhouse gas emissions by over five tons during the lifetime of the machine. The switch is part of the Green the Capitol program, finding new ways to reduce... ...Read more »

Despite posting record earnings, with a net income increase of 16%, up to $449 million, Australian company Coca-Cola Amatil’s share price dropped today.  Stock market experts described Coca-Cola Amatil’s results as ‘solid’, but not good enough to justify its share price. Developing markets Indonesia and Papua New Guinea posted revenue growth of almost 22%, and the Food & Services Division (including SPC Aardmona) reported earnings growth of over 20%. Strong performance... ...Read more »

Soft drink giant Coca-Cola and local police in Beijing are investigating the second case of mercury poisoning allegedly from the consumption of Coca-Cola brand Sprite, after a 13 year old boy was hospitalised after consuming the drink. This is Beijing’s second mercury poisoning case linked to Sprite in 3 months – the first occurring last November. Coca Cola, maker of Sprite, said in a statement on Tuesday the company follows strict quality management, and its products are safe and in... ...Read more »

Coca-Cola Amatil’s major shareholder, The Coca-Cola Company (TCCC), has sent a letter to Kirin – the major shareholder of Lion Nathan – advising that they would no longer discuss the prospect of a takeover. Lion Nathan has since withdrawn the $7.6b offer made in November, which Coca-Cola Amatil never warmed to. “CCA has today received a copy of a letter sent by TCCC to Kirin. That letter advises that TCCC has terminated discussions with Kirin involving any acquisition of CCA... ...Read more »

Lion Nathan’s November offer for Coca-Cola Amatil remains on the table, as talks between The Coca-Cola Company (TCCC) and Lion Nathan’s major shareholder continue. Coca-Cola Amatil today updated the market as rumours about the proposal continued to swirl, advising that discussions between TCCC and Kirin Holdings – which has a 46% stake in Lion Nathan – continued apace. Background The CCA Board told the market on November 17 that it would not progress any further with a review... ...Read more »

Coca-Cola Amatil Chief Executive Terry Davis has told a business congress in Sydney this morning that he believes Lion Nathan will struggle to up the bid that CCA believes undervalues their worth. Last week CCA, Australia’s largest soft drink bottler, advised that they would fend off the $7.6b bid made by Lion Nathan – Australia’s second largest brewer. Mr Davis claimed the bid was flawed and “half-baked” and argued that the bid undervalues the company and could hurt... ...Read more »

Lion Nathan Chief Executive, Rob Murray, has advised that Australia’s second largest brewer is likely to drop their bid for Coca-Cola Amatil if it cannot be made on amiable terms. The offer, which was announced to shareholders by Coca-Cola Amatil (CCA) last Monday, values CCA at upwards of $7.6b. It has, however, been met with disapproval from their major shareholder (The Coca-Cola Company), the CCA Board and CCA CEO Terry Davis – who dismissed it as a “flawed” bid. “Let’s... ...Read more »

Coca-Cola Amatil (CCA) Chief Executive Terry Davis is not likely to change his mind about the current $7.6b takeover bid tabled by Lion Nathan, believing it to be “half-baked”. He has left the door open to a deal, however, with the right conditions. CCA told shareholders on Monday that Lion Nathan had launched an unsolicited takeover bid for Australia’s largest bottler of soft drinks, in an endeavour to create Australia’s largest beverage company. Coca-Cola Amatil informed... ...Read more »

The Board of Coca-Cola Amatil has decided to fend off the takeover offer made by Lion Nathan, believing it not to be in the best interests of their shareholders. Yesterday they noted “material deficiencies” in the offer made by Lion Nathan, which valued Australia’s largest soft drink bottler at around 10.8 x FY2008 earnings (or about $7.6b). The Board’s main concern is that the price to earnings multiple value of 10.8 is below the other major beverage deals made in Oceania... ...Read more »

Lion Nathan Limited has confirmed that it is in discussions with Coca-Cola Amatil Limited (CCA) regarding a potential combination of the two companies, which would result in Lion Nathan acquiring all of the issued shares in CCA. The announcement was made just before midday, after they had earlier asked for a trading halt to be placed on their shares until an announcement was made. The proposed combination would create the leading Australian and New Zealand beverage company, with a diversified portfolio... ...Read more »