The world's largest soft drink producer Coca-Cola has taken over a leading Russian juice producer, Nidan Juices, from Britain's Lion Capital for $276 million, Coca-Cola said on Monday.
The deal included the purchase of Nidan's property, machinery and equipment as well as intangible assets.
Coca-Cola purchased 100% of Nidan including 75% plus one share from the British private equity fund, Lion Capital.
The deal will be closed before the end of 2010, the company's statement said.
Nidan Juices controls 16.9 percent of the Russian juice market. The company's key brands include Moya Semya, Caprice, Caprice Tea, Sokos, Da!, and Champion. In 2007, Lion Capital bought 75% of the company's shares from the company's founders Igor Shilov, Leonid Shaiman and Chaba Balyer, who retained 25 percent of the stock.
Coca-Cola owns Russian juice maker Multon, which produces juice brands such as Dobry and Rich.
Coca-Cola, based in Atlanta, Georgia, sells its products in over 200 countries. The company entered the market of the Soviet Union in the late 1980s. In 2009, the company said it intended to expand its business in Russia.
MOSCOW, November 1 (RIA Novosti)
