PepsiAmericas buys Ardea Beverage Co.

24/01/06 PepsiAmericas, Inc. has announced that it has purchased Ardea Beverage Co., maker of airforce Nutrisoda. PepsiAmericas will collaborate with Pepsi-Cola North America to market airforce Nutrisoda in select PepsiAmericas markets with the possibility for future expansion.

Ardea, based in Hopkins, Minn., sells a portfolio of nutritionally enhanced, low calorie, carbonated beverages. The slender eight-ounce cans of airforce Nutrisoda are sold in a wide range of distribution outlets catering to on-the-go consumers.

Nutrisoda, which launched in 2003, targets on-the-go consumers who are nutritionally aware. Each of the seven products within the portfolio contains vitamins and minerals formulated to achieve a specific benefit. The products have few or no carbs, sugar, sodium or calories, appealing to health-conscious consumers. Brand offerings include Immune in tangerine and lime flavor, Radiant in pomegranate and black berry, Calm in wild berry and citron, Focus in mango and peach, Flex in black cherry and apple, Energize in mandarin and mint, and Slender in pink grapefruit and guava.

While small, the airforce Nutrisoda brand is resonating with consumers.

Ardea will become a wholly owned subsidiary of PepsiAmericas. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

PepsiAmericas is the second largest Pepsi bottler with operations in the U.S., Central Europe, and the Caribbean. PepsiAmericas manufactures, distributes and markets a broad portfolio of Pepsi-Cola, and other national and regional brands.

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