PepsiCo launches $6bn takeover bid for bottlers

PepsiCo is launching an estimated $6bn (4.09bn) bid to takeover its two largest bottlers as part of a new strategy to overhaul how it manufactures and distribute its products.

pepsicoPepsiCo is launching an estimated $6bn (£4.09bn) bid to takeover its two largest bottlers as part of a new strategy to overhaul how it manufactures and distribute its products.

The world’s second largest soft drinks company has made offers to take full control of Pepsi Bottling Group and Pepsi Americas. It currently owns 33% of the former and 43% of the latter.

If shareholders of the bottling companies support the proposed bid, PepsiCo could boost its annual earnings by at least 15%.

In the UK, Britvic has a deal to manufacture, distribute and market a number of PepsiCo brands including Pepsi, V Water and Gatorade.

Last October, PepsiCo announced plans to cut 3,300 jobs globally after reporting a 9.5% fall in pre-tax profits for the three months to September 6. The move is part of its plan to save more than $1.2bn (£6.8m) over three years. 

The company also recently appointed Jill Beraud to the new position of worldwide chief marketing officer. She came from Victoria’s Secret where she occupied the same role.

Beraud is in charge of developing marketing strategies for PepsiCo’s $39bn portfolio of Frito-Lay, cola drinks and Quaker products. 

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