Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company S.A. (Coca-Cola HBC, CCHBC), announced today the completion of its joint acquisition with The Coca-Cola Company, of 100% of the Traficante Group, a producer of high quality mineral water in Italy. Regulatory approval was received on June 21st, 2006. Traficante has two production facilities in the Basilicata Region of Southern Italy, as well as two national mineral water brands, "Lilia" and "Lilia Kiss" (still and sparkling) and five brands of regional importance. The total net consideration for the transaction is EUR35 million (including debt but excluding acquisition costs).
Coca-Cola HBC is one of the world's largest bottlers of products of The Coca-Cola Company and has operations in 28 countries serving a population of 540 million people. CCHBC shares are listed on the Athens Exchange (ATHEX: EEEK), with secondary listings on the London (LSE: CCB) and Australian (ASX: CHB) Stock Exchanges. CCHBC's American Depositary.