Refresco Gerber to Purchase Dutch Co-packing Business DIS
Refresco Gerber, the leading European bottler of soft drinks and fruit juices for retailers and A-brand owners, is acquiring Dutch beverage manufacturer DIS for €72 million. Including debt the total purchase price equals 7.5x EBITDA.
DIS is focused on the filling of a wide range of cans with diverse non-alcoholic beverages such as carbonated soft drinks and energy drinks. DIS additionally fills beer in cans for regional and international brewers. The company employs 198 people and operates a high quality manufacturing site in Sittard, the Netherlands.
The annual production of DIS is approximately 300 million liters (800 million cans), 78% soft drinks and 22% beer. Co-packing for international brands accounts for 95% of the volume and the remaining 5% is private label business with European retailers. The company has an annual turnover of approximately €90 million.
Founded in 1964, DIS is an established co-packer with many long-standing customer relationships. This new development strengthens Refresco Gerber’s position in co-packing, boosts its innovation power in the canning segment and creates opportunities to further optimize the manufacturing footprint and supply chain in the Benelux.
Hans Roelofs, chief executive of Refresco Gerber, says: “With DIS we take a next step in the execution of our buy & build strategy and enhance our co-packing position in the Netherlands. We also broaden our proposition and capabilities in the filling of cans. DIS’ international co-packing concept has been very successful over the years and will be continued and broadened in the Refresco Gerber setting.”
The transaction will be financed from existing credit facilities and available cash, and is subject to the approval of the competition authorities. Closing of the transaction is expected during the second quarter of 2016.
Earlier this year, Refresco Gerber agreed to acquire the PepsiCo bottling facility in Hamburg, Germany, for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition fits Refresco Gerber’s buy & build strategy and further strengthens its footprint in the German soft drinks and fruit juices market. Included in the terms of agreement is a 10-year co-packing agreement with PepsiCo.
