Japan’s Suntory, the whisky-to-green tea drinks giant, is in talks to buy Orangina, the French brand, as part of efforts to expand its business interests beyond Japanese shores. Suntory’s move for Orangina is expected to have the Osaka-based company pay at least $2.7 billion to Blackstone Group and Lion Capital for their combined controlling stake in the soft-drinks maker, reported U.K.’s The Times. The two private equity groups secured Orangina for $2.6 billion when they bought it from Cadbury three years ago. The deal would add a range of well-known soft drink brands to Suntory’s large, but mostly domestic-focused portfolio: one of its biggest assets is the local Japanese distribution rights to PepsiCo. Orangina will give Suntory the distribution rights to the Schweppes and Oasis brands in the North East Asian region.
Japan’s Suntory in Talks to Take Over Orangina
The deal would add a range of well-known soft drink brands to Suntory’s large, but mostly domestic-focused portfolio: one of its biggest assets is the local Japanese distribution rights to PepsiCo.
September 10, 2009