CCHBC, Coke JV Enter Serbian Water Market

Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling (CCHBC) plans to join forces with the Coca-Cola Co. to acquire a Serbian mineral water company. The Greek bottler will purchase Vlasinka with Coke for an undisclosed sum.

This purchase follows on the heels CCHBC’s Serbian acquisition plans announced Feb. 15. “This acquisition is a significant further commitment to our operations in Serbia,” said Doros Constantinou, CCHBC’s managing director.

The acquisition involves production facilities at Surdulica in southern Serbia, as well as the mineral water brand Rosa.

CCHBC has been concentrating on its expansion into the non-carbonated soft drink market in Europe. To date, it has acquired five bottlers in Switzerland, Romania, Poland, Austria and Croatia.

Source: just-drinks.com