SamC
09-02-2006, 07:57 AM
According to the business papers, KO is in a complex deal to buy Philadelphia Coca-Cola Bottling.
Odd, for several reasons, IMHO.
- This is KO doing the buying, not CCE or some other bottler partner. Why would KO want to own one bottler in one city in the whole country?
- "Phily Coke" is the nation's second largest black owned business. KO always liked pointing this out in situations where it helped them.
- The deal closes in 2009? Why would you promise today to pay for something in three years? A lot can happen in three years.
In any event, the consolidation of bottlers in the USA continues. I would not be surprised to see deals for CCNNE (owned by a Japanese brewer), Swire's US holdings, Arbata and even CCBCC coming.
Odd, for several reasons, IMHO.
- This is KO doing the buying, not CCE or some other bottler partner. Why would KO want to own one bottler in one city in the whole country?
- "Phily Coke" is the nation's second largest black owned business. KO always liked pointing this out in situations where it helped them.
- The deal closes in 2009? Why would you promise today to pay for something in three years? A lot can happen in three years.
In any event, the consolidation of bottlers in the USA continues. I would not be surprised to see deals for CCNNE (owned by a Japanese brewer), Swire's US holdings, Arbata and even CCBCC coming.