Coca-Cola Great Britain Adds Abbey Well to its Portfolio

Abbey Well is an exciting addition to Coca-Cola's portfolio in the UK and we are looking forward to working with Waters & Robson employees and the local community to get more consumers all over the UK enjoying Abbey Well.

11/11/2008 Coca-Cola Great Britain announced the intention to acquire Waters & Robson Holdings Limited, the owners of Abbey Well natural mineral water. The purchase of Abbey Well, sourced in Morpeth, Northumberland, will enable CCGB to add a high-quality bottled water to its diverse portfolio, underlining its commitment to offer consumers a range of drinks for every taste and occasion.

Sanjay Guha, President of Coca-Cola Great Britain, said: "Coca-Cola Great Britain is delighted to add Abbey Well to our portfolio. We have been looking for the right bottled water opportunity to expand the range of drinks we offer consumers for some time, and in Abbey Well we have acquired a natural, sustainable and high quality British sourced water.

"Our decision to purchase Abbey Well reflects both our ongoing commitment to providing consumers with a range of drinks and our confidence in the bottled water category. As a locally sourced, natural mineral water with a long heritage in the UK market, Abbey Well can meet consumer demand for refreshments which combine great taste and convenience."

Abbey Well will be bottled and distributed by Coca-Cola Enterprises Ltd (CCE) and the Abbey Well site and its employees are to be transferred to CCE on completion of the deal.

Simon Baldry, Vice President & General Manager, Coca-Cola Enterprises GB, said:

"Abbey Well is an exciting addition to Coca-Cola's portfolio in the UK and we are looking forward to working with Waters & Robson employees and the local community to get more consumers all over the UK enjoying Abbey Well.

"We will be investing to ensure the site goes from strength to strength. CCE's sales expertise and distribution networks will get Abbey Well water on the shelves of more retail outlets to be enjoyed by more consumers."

CCGB's last acquisition was the purchase of the ‘Schweppes' drinks brands in 1999.  Since its incorporation, ‘Schweppes' has successfully grown to become the third largest trademark in CCGB's portfolio behind only ‘Coca-Cola' and ‘diet Coke'. 

CCGB also owns a premium English water brand, ‘Malvern', and an active lifestyle brand ‘glaceau vitaminwater'.