Bristol law firm Burges Salmon has advised on a major drinks industry share acquisition involving Coca-Cola, Heineken and Macedonia’s largest beer and soft drinks company.
The €79.1m deal involved the Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company and Heineken buying 41.2% of the minority shares in Pivara Skopje, their joint venture beverage company in the Republic of Macedonia.
The transaction was signed in November 2011 but was subject to approval by the Macedonian competition authorities. Coca-Cola Hellenic and Heineken now collectively own 96.5% of Pivara Skopje’s shares.
The Burges Salmon team was led by corporate partner Nick Graves assisted by Julie Book.
Mr Graves said the transaction had been interesting and complex. “Since the shares were traded on the Macedonian stock exchange, a block trade was required and was settled through the Central Securities Depository AD Skopje,” he said.
Pivara Skopje – established in 1924 – distributes and sells Coca-Cola and Heineken brands in Macedona.
