Suntory negotiating to acquire France's Orangina

Friday 11th September, 07:08 AM JST

OSAKA —

Major Japanese beverage maker Suntory Holdings Ltd is negotiating to buy its French rival Orangina SAS from U.S. investment firms, Suntory officials said Thursday. Although the officials refrained from discussing details, The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday a deal could be reached this week.

The price is likely to exceed the $2.6 billion that Blackstone Group LP and Lion Capital paid for Orangina in 2006, the U.S. business paper said, quoting people familiar with the matter. Orangina sells soft drinks under Schweppes and other brands mainly in Europe. The U.S. investment firms acquired Orangina from British confectionery giant Cadbury PLC. Suntory, as well as other Japanese food and beverage makers, has been expanding into overseas markets as the Japanese market shrinks due to a falling birthrate and aging population.

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5 Comments

rajakumar at 05:59 AM JST - 11th September

Orangina france sold to UK's Cadbury.

Cadbury sold it USA's fund investors Blackstone group LP and Lion capital for USD 2600 million.

Kraft USA(Global no 2 in processed food products after Swiss Nestle) wanted also to buy Cadbury UK but not sucessfull.

Now Japan Suntory wants Orangina ownership for Japan by buying at more than USD 2600 million. This how business works for all,just buy and sell.
sk4ek at 08:05 AM JST - 11th September

But if it means I can find bottles of Orangina at my neighborhood Lawson's, I'm happy... :)
stirfry at 12:18 PM JST - 11th September

Orangina france sold to UK's Cadbury.

thanks for the swell recap
Shaolin7 at 07:47 PM JST - 11th September

Agree Sk4ek, Orangina is addictive stuff!
johnnyreb at 11:46 PM JST - 11th September

sweet, orangina is awesome.