The Coca-Cola Company Finalizes Transaction with Coca-Cola Enterprises
Across the globe, The Coca-Cola Company remains committed to continuously evolving and advancing our franchise system in line with the unique needs of each and every market.
Oct 4 2010 --- The Coca-Cola Company announced that it has completed the acquisition of the North American operations of Coca-Cola Enterprises and the sale of the Company’s Norway and Sweden bottling operations to CCE. This transaction positions The Coca-Cola Company to more profitably deliver the world's greatest brands and drive long-term value for all shareholders.
“Today begins the next era of winning for our North America system,” said Muhtar Kent, Chairman and CEO, The Coca-Cola Company. “With the completion of this transaction, we have redefined our operating model to best serve the unique needs of our flagship market, in full alignment with our 2020 Vision. Our thoughtful and disciplined planning efforts prior to completing the transaction will enable us to execute and quickly drive a seamless integration in North America, delivering enhanced value to our customers, consumers and independent bottling partners.
“Through CCE’s acquisition of our bottling operations in Norway and Sweden, this transaction also further strengthens our franchise system in Europe by providing broader geographic coverage and optimized marketing and distribution leadership in this key geography,” said Mr. Kent. “Across the globe, The Coca-Cola Company remains committed to continuously evolving and advancing our franchise system in line with the unique needs of each and every market.”
One Strong and Aligned Approach
With the completion of the transaction, The Coca-Cola Company has renamed the sales and operational elements of the North American businesses, Coca-Cola Refreshments USA, Inc. ("CCR") and Coca-Cola Refreshments Canada Company, which will be wholly-owned subsidiaries of The Coca-Cola Company and led by CCR President and CEO Steve Cahillane. CCR will integrate five business components into a 21st-century bottling and customer service operation in both the U.S. and Canada.
The five components formerly were:
(1) CCE North America;
(2) CCNA Foodservice;
(3) the Minute Maid and Odwalla juice businesses;
(4) CCNA Supply Chain Operations and
(5) the Company-owned bottling operations in Philadelphia.
A newly reshaped Coca-Cola North America (“CCNA”), led by President Sandy Douglas, will provide franchise leadership and consumer marketing and innovation for the Company's flagship market. The North American businesses will operate as aligned and agile organizations with distinct capabilities, responsibilities and strengths.
“As former President of the North American Business Unit for CCE, Steve Cahillane is the perfect choice to lead Coca-Cola Refreshments,” said Mr. Kent. “Together with Sandy Douglas, we have put in place a leadership team with the skills and experiences necessary to deliver sustainable growth in our flagship market.”
Delivering Sustainable Growth and Long-term Value
Once fully integrated, the Company expects to generate operational synergies of at least $350 million per year. The Company anticipates that these operational synergies will be phased in over the next four years, and that it will begin to fully realize the annual benefit from these synergies in the fourth year. These synergies are above and beyond the $150 million in system savings The Coca-Cola Company and CCE had previously committed to delivering between 2009 and 2011 through the Coca-Cola Supply initiative. Longer term, the integration will enable The Coca-Cola Company to drive an optimized operating model and increased cash flow returns by investing its capital in a more efficient system.
While the Company has not made any share repurchases during the current fiscal year, with the closing of this transaction, the Company remains committed to repurchasing at least $1.5 billion in shares in 2010.
