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Made Group sells minority interest to Coca-Cola in Australia

Australian beverages manufacturer Coca-Cola Amatil and The Coca-Cola Company acquired 45 per cent minority interest in Australia-based Made Group.

The acquisition of the company, which provides cold-pressed juices, high-protein smoothies, probiotic milk, yoghurts and coconut water, was announced on the 4th of October.

Made Group is known for Australian beverage brands including Cocobella, Rokeby Farms, Impressed and the company’s first brand, NutrientWater, which was launched in 2005.

Through this partnership, Made Group will continue operating independently, while being supported by Coca-Cola Australia and Coca-Cola Amatil to grow market reach and distribution.

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Coca-Cola Amatil group managing director Alison Watkins said the company’s aim is to bring the Made range of products to an even wider audience through Coca-Cola’s expertise and reach in distribution.

“There’ll be no changes to the flavours or ingredients. Made Group co-founders Luke Marget and Matt Dennis will stay on in charge of the business and keep doing what they love – developing and producing a fantastic food and beverage range,” said Watkins.

The investment is an important link in the Accelerated Australian Growth Plan for Coca-Cola Amatil and Coca-Cola Australia, which aims to bolster performance in attractive growth categories, embrace innovation and explore mergers or acquisitions where they fit with the existing portfolio, said Watkins.

Made Group co-founder Matt Dennis said the investment was a significant milestone in the company’s 13-year history.

“We are extremely pleased to have such experienced partners in helping unlock scale and growth, while we continue to focus on product innovation to match emerging consumer trends,” said Dennis.

“Our focus on improving the everyday lives of Australians aligns perfectly with Coca Cola’s strategy of becoming a total beverage company.

“To help us accelerate this vision there are currently plans underway to significantly expand our manufacturing footprint in Melbourne with a new 30,000 sqm state-of-the-art production facility in the final stages of development,” he said.

“The winning partnership between the world’s leading non-alcoholic beverage enterprise and Australia’s most entrepreneurial beverage company is made for success,” said Dennis.

Coca-Cola Australia president, Vamsi Mohan, said the investment is yet another example of how Coca-Cola is transforming into a total beverage company.

“We are always looking to offer the new beverages that Australians want,” he said.

“Globally Coca-Cola has shown that we can build successful new brands through both acquisition and our long history of innovation. This investment is a perfect example of our desire to keep doing this in Australia,” said Mohan.

“The Made Group’s capability in agile innovation across its range, which includes premium juices, dairy and coconut water, is the perfect complement to our existing portfolio and growth plans and will help us ensure we provide Australians with beverages for all occasions,” he said.

 

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