Apparently not satisfied with making more than $600 million on Glaceau, India’s Tata Group is considering more purchases in the U.S. beverage market, according to reports in a Mumbai, India newspaper.
According to The Economic Times, Tata may be considering a $2 billion buyout of Long Island-based AriZona Beverages, owned by Ferolito, Vultaggio and Sons. That company has ridden the success of its 24 oz. cans of green tea into a leadership position among U.S. RTD tea sellers.
The Tata Group, headed by the Tata family, is flush with cash and has a rising profile in the U.S. business industry as a result of its stunning success with Glaceau — the company walked away from a $670 million investment in Glaceau a year later with a $1.26 billion buyout from the Coca-Cola Co.
In addition to AriZona, the company may also be eyeing a stake in Cadbury Schweppes’ beverage unit, which was up for sale until recently, when debt market turmoil extended the bidding period. According to Forbes, Tata was helping finance a bid from buyout firm the Blackstone Group for the drinks brands, and were keeping an eye on CSAB’s Snapple brands as part of the deal.
Snapple has also been targeted by Coke recently, according to reports.