PepsiCo Acquires UK Vitamin Water Brand - V Water

01/05/08 PepsiCo announced the acquisition of V Water, a leading vitamin water brand in the UK. V Water is a leading brand in a dynamic and growing category. The brand was launched in 2005, and now has a range of six flavours. All products are made with spring water, and have no artificial flavours, sweeteners,colours or preservatives. The V Water range contains a number of added vitamins, minerals and herbal extracts including Vitamin C, Zinc, Selenium and Ginseng.

Garrett Quigley, General Manager, PepsiCo UK and Ireland, said:"V Water provides us with a strong platform for expansion into a fast growing market, and reflects PepsiCo's global commitment to transforming our portfolio of products and extending our range of healthier beverages.  The UK is a key market for us, and we are extremely excited about developing a relationship with V Water in the UK, which will enhance and contribute to the long-term growth of the V Water brand." PepsiCo is one of the world's largest makers and sellers of waters, sports drinks, juice and soft drinks. The acquisition of V Water in the UK will create significant opportunities, and PepsiCo is committed to investing in the V Water brand and building an exciting future for the company.

The two founders of V Water, Walter Faulstroh and Chris Coleridge, said: "V Water has positioned itself in the UK market as "The Vitamin Water" since 2005.  Joining V Water's exciting brand and people to the powerful PepsiCo family will allow us to continue to expand and fulfil the full potential of V Water. We are very excited to be leading the expansion of the value-added water category in the UK."

PepsiCo also announced that it has reached an exclusive bottling agreement (EBA) with Britvic plc to manufacture, sell and distribute the V Water products in Great Britain. Britvic is PepsiCo's exclusive bottler in Great Britain for the Pepsi, 7Up and Gatorade brands. The addition of the V Water brands to the portfolio further strengthens a close and long-standing PepsiCo-Britvic relationship.

PepsiCo's transformation strategy is focused on launching and acquiring new products that reflect consumer demand for healthier, nutritious food and drink. The purchase of V Water follows PepsiCo's recent announcement of plans to acquire Russia's largest juice company, Lebedyansky, and the 2007 purchases of US-based Naked Juice and, with bottling partner Pepsi Americas, Sandora, the leading juice company in Ukraine.

PepsiCo has North America's foremost portfolio of non-carbonated beverages, and in 2007 grew its leadership positions in water, enhanced water and isotonics. Some of its hydration brands include SoBe Life Water, Aquafina Alive, Propel, Gatorade and G2.