ZAMBIA – Coca Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA), the largest Coca-Cola bottler on the continent has announced that it has received the regulatory approval to acquire Zambia’s leading soft drinks manufacturer, Fairy Bottling Zambia Limited, reports Lusaka Times.
The transaction includes Fairy Bottling’s production facility in Lusaka, Zambia and the sales and distribution infrastructure, with operations scheduled to start on February 4.
According to Norton Kingwill, the managing director for CCBA’s Southern Africa region, the transaction will not affect the day-to-day activities of Fairy Bottling and all employees will remain with the company after the transfer.
We believe that the acquisition of Fairy Bottling allows us to achieve greater efficiencies which ultimately means better value for consumers and improved service to customers.
Norton Kingwill, Managing director for CCBA’s Southern Africa region
Fairy Bottling presents state of the art production and distribution capability that focuses on consumer-centric portfolio, which Coca Cola is looking to utilize to expand its presence in the region.
“We believe that the acquisition of Fairy Bottling allows us to achieve greater efficiencies which ultimately means better value for consumers and improved service to customers,” said Norton Kingwill.
The development follows the recent acquisition of Kalundu Beverages Limited, now trading as Coca-Cola Beverages Zambia from AB InBev’s subsidiary, Zambia Breweries last December.
The Fairy Bottling deal consolidates CCBA’s operations in Zambia and places it as the leading sparkling soft beverages manufacturer in the country.
In an expansion spree, Fairy Bottling led by Chief Executive Officer Dr Mohamed El Sahili invested US$50 million in capacity development in August 2018 for the manufacturing of plastic containers and production of non-alcoholic beverages.
The project was geared towards promoting trade and investment as well as sustainable economic development in the country.
Fairy Bottling Zambia Limited (FB) produces Aqua Savana pure mineral water and fermented maize beverage, Super Maheu and recently expanded its portfolio to include American Cola, Bubble up, planet juices and Reactor energy drink.
CCBA which is also the world’s eighth largest Coca-Cola bottler by revenue, boasts of over 16 000 employees across its operations in Africa with more than 30 bottling plants in 12 countries (including its recent Zambian acquisition).
