The launch of new products and the sales of Dorna mineral water triggered a 10% increase in the business of Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company (CCHBC), the bottler of the Coca-Cola soft drinks, in the first half this year, as compared with the year-ago period.
Greece-based CCHBC also reported the Romanian branch posted “outstanding performances” in the second quarter this year. Company officials would not disclose the value of H1 sales, though.
“Romania is a dynamic market and can be compared with the developed countries. Those who fail to adjust are left behind, as Romanian consumers have high expectations,” said Mugurel Radulescu, foreign relations manager at CCHBC Romania.
CCHBC has noted that the recent acquisitions in Romania (Dorna Apemin) and Switzerland (Valser) accounted for almost 3% of H1 sales and 2% of the EBITDA (earnings before interests, taxes, depreciation and amortisation) posted in the same period.
Coca-Cola acquired Dorna mineral water last December, under a transaction worth 39 million euros.
CCHBC paid 19.5 million euros and made the acquisition together with The Coca – Cola Company (TCCC). The deal involved the purchase of brands such as Izvorul Alb, Poiana Negri and Dorna.
Irial Finan, chief executive of CCHBC, yesterday officially stated that the company would maintain the expansion strategy by launching even more products and pursuing new acquisitions on the mineral water market, which has “major growth potential.” TCCC and CCHBC came to an agreement in May concerning the entire takeover of Polish producer Multivita. The transaction is to be closed by the end of the third quarter.
claudia.covaci@zf.ro