Schellenberg Wittmer acted as Swiss counsel for The Coca-Cola Company (lead counsel: Mc Dermott Will & Schulte) and Gutsche Family Investments (lead counsel: Webber Wentzel) in the sale of a controlling interest in Coca-Cola Beverages Africa Pty. Ltd. to Coca-Cola HBC AG.
Coca-Cola Beverages Africa Pty. Ltd. is the eighth largest Coca-Cola authorized bottler worldwide. The transaction values 100% of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa at an equity value of USD 3.4 billion. In addition, Coca-Cola and Coca-Cola HBC have entered into a separate option agreement granting Coca-Cola HBC the right to acquire the remaining 25% stake in Coca-Cola Beverages Africa currently held by Coca-Cola within six years from closing. Following the transaction, the Gutsche family will remain active within the Coca-Cola system and across Africa through its ownership stake in Coca-Cola HBC.
Our team consisted of Oliver Triebold, Pascal Hubli, Marcel Jakob, Daniele Simoniello, Elia Claude Schunck and Nanina Lätsch (all Corporate/M&A), Olivier Favre (Banking & Finance) as well as Michael Nordin and Tabea Bänteli (both Taxation).