With sales flat in its soda business, Coca-Cola Co. has been thirsty for
acquisitions in 2007, looking to expand outside its traditional carbonated
drink line. It
acquired
juice and tea maker FUZE in February and the Atlanta-based company has
acquired vitamin water maker Glaceau, according to industry trade publication
Beverage Digest. The report said Coke filed a Hart-Scott-Rodino Act
notification with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, and the deal could be
worth about $4 billion. Coca-Cola chief executive
Neville Isdellwas brought out of retirement only
two years ago hoping to revive a company that had stopped growing. Stock
pundit Jim Cramer emphasized Coke made glaring mistakes in Isdell's absence,
passing up the chance to buy Quaker Oats as well as
Gatorade, which Pepsi eventually swallowed up. As for the future, look for
Coke to continue expanding its non-carbonated drink line with an eye for the
global market.—Gerald Magpily
See MSNBC.com
article
See
previous blog about Glaceau
See
previous blog about FUZE
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