The Coca-Cola Company Strengthens its Position in the Middle East
The Coca-Cola Company has completed the acquisition of approximately half of the equity in Aujan Industries beverage business, one of the largest independent beverage companies in the Middle East. The $980 million transaction was initially announced in December 2011.
The transaction allows The Coca-Cola Company to expand its portfolio in the juice sector. The Coca-Cola Company has acquired 50% of the Aujan entity that holds the rights to Aujan-owned brands, and 49% of Aujan’s bottling and distribution operations, excluding its operations inIran.
The Coca-Cola system, which currently employs more than 40,000 people across the Arab world, announced in October 2011 that it will invest $5 billion in the Middle East and North Africa region over the next ten years.
Aujan Industries employs over 2,500 employees and has a turnover of over $850 million. The company’s greatest strength is its well-established owned and licensed brands, including Rani, Vimto and Barbican.
