COTT EXPANDS INTO MEXICO
By Adnews Staff
Toronto-based soft drink supplier Cott Corp. has struck a deal to acquire a 90% interest in a new venture with Mexican bottler Embotelladora de Puebla, S.A. de C.V. Financial details are unknown. The new company, Cott Embotelladores de Mexico, S.A. de C.V., will manufacture retailer brand soft drinks for grocery retailers in Mexico including Comercial Mexicana, Chedraui and Wal-Mart. "This initiative underlines our goal of providing world class products and services to global customers," said Frank Weise, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Cott. "It also allows us to share our expertise in retailer branded beverages with an array of potential new customers in the growing Mexican market. Cott Embotelladores de Mexico will be led by managing director Gilbert Arvizu. Most recently Arvizu was vice-president of sales and business development for Cott's U.S. unit. Cott currently operates in the U.S., Canada and the United Kingdom.