Coca-Cola and several of its bottlers in Latin America have acquired the AdeS soy-based beverage business from Unilever.
The transaction was first announced on 1 June 2016.
Founded in 1988 in Argentina, AdeS was the first major soy-based beverage brand launched in Latin America.
The AdeS brand presently has a presence in Mexico, Uruguay, Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, Bolivia, and Colombia.
Bottlers participating in the transaction include Coca-Cola FEMSA, Arca Continental, Embotelladora Andina, Embonor, Corporacion Del Fuerte, Corporacion Rica, Bepensa, Embotelladora del Nayar, Embotelladora de Colima, Solar, Brasal, Bandeirantes, Sorocaba, Simoes, Uberlandia, CVI, Lee, and Monresa.
Jugos del Valle S.A.P.I. de C.V., Coca-Cola’s joint venture with bottling partners in Mexico, also took part in the transaction.
Coca-Cola Company Latin America Group president Alfredo Rivera said: “We are excited to add AdeS to our expanding beverage portfolio in Latin America as it enables us to increase the number of nutritious and delicious products offered to our consumers.
“AdeS is a leading brand in the plant-based beverage category, which is growing rapidly and is of great interest to our customers and consumers across the markets that we serve.”
He also said: “AdeS complements and enhances our total beverage portfolio offer, providing our consumers with a wider range of choices.
“Together with our partner, The Coca-Cola Company, we will leverage the leading position of the AdeS brand, integrating it into our robust route-to-market model to drive value and further innovation on this new beverage platform.”
The acquisition grants Coca-Cola further access to the Latin American market.
In the recent years, the company has acquired a range of juice/dairy/plant-based companies, with brands such as Jugos del Valle (multiple Latin America markets), Santa Clara (Mexico) and Tonicorp (Ecuador).
