Andina/ Polar Merger Could Be Prelude To Even Bigger Deals

Chilean Coca-Cola bottlers Embotelladora Andina and Embotelladoras Coca-Cola Polar have signed a preliminary agreement to merge their operations. The all-share deal would see Andina take an 80% stake in the enlarged firm. For the 12 months to September 2011 the combined business would have generated volumes of 641mn cases and revenues of US$2.56bn, making it the fifth largest Coca-Cola bottler in the world. The move is in line with growing consolidation within the Latin American soft drink industry and from here Andina should be in a strong position to expand further.

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