Japanese Coca-Cola bottlers agree to merge - Nikkei

Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan Holdings

26/09/2016 20:24

Sept 26 (Reuters) - Japan's two leading Coca-Cola bottlers 
agreed to merge as early as next spring to create a company with 
annual sales of more than 1 trillion yen ($9.95 billion) in a 
declining domestic soft-drink market, Nikkei reported, citing 
sources. 
    Tokyo-based Coca-Cola East Japan Co Ltd  2580.T  and 
Fukuoka-based Coca-Cola West Co Ltd  2579.T  bottle and 
distribute most of the Coca-Cola drinks sold in Japan. 
    The merger will create a holding company for both the 
regional operations, Nikkei said, adding that Coca-Cola West 
President Tamio Yoshimatsu will lead the new company. 
    Coca-Cola West is expected to remain on the Tokyo Stock 
Exchange, Nikkei said. 
   The combined company is expected to have a 90 percent share 
of the domestic market for Coca-Cola products, Nikkei reported 
citing sources.  urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nNen4wg0Wp 
    The companies could not be reached outside business hours in 
Japan. 
 
 (Reporting by John Benny in Bengaluru) 
 ((John.Benny@thomsonreuters.com ; within U.S. +1 646 223 8780; 
outside U.S. +91 80 6749 6718; Reuters Messaging: 
John.Benny.reuters.com@reuters.net)) 
 
Keywords: COCA COLA EAST M&A/COCA COLA WEST