The Coca-Cola Co., Atlanta, and Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc. (GMCR), Waterbury, Vt., have signed a 10-year agreement to collaborate on the development and introduction of The Coca-Cola Co.’s global brand portfolio for use in GMCR’s forthcoming Keurig Cold at-home beverage system. Under the global strategic agreement, GMCR and The Coca-Cola Co. will cooperate to bring the Keurig Cold beverage system to consumers around the world. In an effort to align long-term interests, the companies also entered into a Common Stock Purchase Agreement whereby The Coca-Cola Co. will purchase a minority equity position in GMCR.
Under the terms of the equity agreement, The Coca-Cola Co. will acquire 16,684,139 newly issued shares in GMCR for approximately $1.25 billion, which represents an approximate 10 percent ownership in GMCR (after giving effect to the issuance). The newly issued shares have been priced at $74.98, which represents the trailing 50-trading-day volume weighted average price (VWAP) as of market close on Feb. 5.
As part of the strategic collaboration, GMCR will be The Coca-Cola Co.’s exclusive partner for the production and sale of The Coca-Cola Co.-branded single-serve, pod-based cold beverages. The two companies also will explore other future opportunities to collaborate on the Keurig platform.
“With The Coca-Cola Co. as a global strategic partner in our multi-brand at-home Keurig Cold beverage system, we believe there is significant opportunity to premiumize and accelerate growth in the cold beverage category by empowering consumers with an innovative, convenient way to freshly prepare their favorite cold beverages at the push of a button,” said Brian P. Kelley, president and chief executive officer of GMCR, in a statement. “This global relationship combines The Coca-Cola Co.’s unparalleled brand, distribution and marketing strengths with GMCR’s innovative technology and beverage system expertise.”
Muhtar Kent, chairman and chief executive officer of The Coca-Cola Co., added in a statement: “Our 2020 Vision calls for decisive and timely action to continuously improve and evolve our global system to best serve our customers and consumers around the world. This agreement demonstrates our creative approach to partnerships and ability to identify and stay at the forefront of consumer trends driving the industry. By pairing The Coca-Cola Co.’s brand leadership and global footprint with GMCR’s innovative technology, together we will be able to capitalize on the many exciting growth opportunities in the single-serve, pod-based segment of the cold beverage industry. Importantly, this partnership provides our consumers with a convenient way to enjoy the brands they love through in-home preparation.”
The investment is expected to close in March 2014, subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of required regulatory approvals.
GMCR’s Keurig Cold single-serve beverage system currently is under development with expected availability in GMCR’s fiscal year 2015. Keurig Cold will use precisely formulated single-serve pods to dispense freshly-made cold beverages including carbonated drinks, enhanced waters, juice drinks, sports drinks and teas in consumers’ homes, similar to the Keurig brand hot system platform, the companies say. The cold system is expected to be a similarly open-architecture platform like the Keurig hot system, they add.
