Delta Beverages Acquires Mutare Bottling Company
Delta Beverages has announced the completion of the deal which expands its soft drinks footprint and extends the distribution network to cover Manicaland.
This comes after Delta Beverages’ agreement with Mutare Bottling Company has been approved by the Zimbabwe Competition and Tariff Commission.
The Coca-Cola Company has extended its sparkling beverages franchise arrangements to cover Manicaland Province as it will operate assets of Mutare Bottling Company. Delta said in a statement:
This transaction provides an opportunity for the Group to provide its range of products across the entire Zimbabwean market.
Our customers and consumers in Manicaland will have access to the wide range of The Coca-Cola Company’s brands and packs.
This also allows the optimal utilisation of the existing assets, including the Mutare bottling plant, and the distribution footprint.
The transaction will not result in any job losses.
The transaction has received the requisite regulatory approvals.
Delta Corporation is involved, through its principal subsidiary Delta Beverages, in the brewing of lager and traditional beer and the bottling of soft drinks under licence from the Coca Cola Company.
It operates one of the largest distribution network of depots and delivery fleets in Zimbabwe. It has recently bought UNB, SA, a traditional beer company.
The Company has a significant interest in Schweppes Zimbabwe which manufactures still and juice drinks under the Coca-Cola franchise.
Delta Beverages is the country’s leading brewer with more than 15 beer brands and some 4,000+ employees across the country.
The group’s portfolio includes Castle, Carling Black Label, Chibuku, Chibuku Super, Castle Lite, Redd’s and Castle Milk Stout as well as leading local brands such as Golden Pilsener and Zambezi.
Its associate entity African Distillers is the leading producer of wines, spirits and ciders. It is the majority shareholder in Natbrew Plc, the LuSE listed traditional beer business in Zambia.
Delta Corporation is an associate of AB InBev, the world’s largest beer company.
