Aujan Industries, the Middle East’s leading independent soft drinks producer and canmaking player is set to expand following Coca-Cola’s deal to buy about half of the Saudi Arabian-based company for US$980 million.
The investment by Atlanta-based Coca-Cola is part of a $5 billion plan to develop its products in the region.
Coca-Cola will be take a 49 percent stake in Aujan’s bottling unit and 50 percent of the Aujan entity that holds the rights its brands, which include Barbican alcohol-free beer, and Rani canned juices. The licensed brand Vimto will remain with the Aujan-managed bottling and distribution company.
