Eckes-Granini Group and Yildiz Holding are Founding a Joint Venture

Yildiz Holding, with their extraordinarily diverse Food & Beverage brand portfolio and outstanding position towards Turkish consumers and trade, is representing the ideal partner for Eckes-Granini to enter the Turkish market.

Sep 21 2010 --- The Eckes-Granini Group, one of the leading fruit juice producers in Europe and Yildiz Holding, the leading company in the Turkish fast-moving consumer goods market agreed on the foundation of a joint, full-scale fruit-beverage subsidiary in Turkey. This shall be in immediate effect subject to the approval of the Turkish Competition Board. The company will be formed as a 50-50%-owned joint venture. Equal emphasis will be placed on building premium brands owned by both parties as well as distribution in the retail trade and establishing a firm foothold in the out-of-home sector.

“This strategic partnership is another big step in dynamically pursuing our international growth strategy”, notes Thomas Hinderer, President and CEO of the Eckes-Granini Group. “Turkey is one of the most dynamic and fascinating markets in the world, offering great additional potential for our business development.

“Yildiz Holding, with their extraordinarily diverse Food & Beverage brand portfolio and outstanding position towards Turkish consumers and trade, is representing the ideal partner for Eckes-Granini to enter the Turkish market”, states Albert Grätz, SVP Finance, Controlling and M&A, Eckes-Granini Group. “I am convinced that through this Joint Venture, the two parties will be able to achieve a leading position in the market, based on the attractive portfolio and wide distribution network.”

“The Eckes-Granini Group is the ideal partner for us to serve our strategy in the growing market of fruit juices in Turkey. Based on their strong expertise in the fruit juice business, Eckes-Granini can offer brands and products with the best quality, popular with consumers throughout all Europe. We believe that together, we are able to exploit the potential of the Turkish market to the fullest", says Dr. Zeki Ziya Sözen, President Business Development and R&D of Yildiz Holding, referring to their strategy of joining forces with well-reputed global food companies to develop promising categories in Turkey. “We are two strong partners who stand for high and reliable quality, in which consumers and trade have been trusting since many years. We will be able to fuel the market growth with new, innovative impulses”, adds Dr. Sözen.