Press Release

■ The Coca-Cola Beverage Company (CCBC) sharpens its competitive edge in the fast-growing non-carbonated beverage market by adding soy milk, bottled coffee, and teas to its product portfolio.

CCBC announced today that it signed an agreement to acquire a 100 percent stake in Hankook Beverage, one of Korea’s leading non-carbonated beverage makers.

The acquisition enabled CCBC to diversify its product portfolio, bolstering the company’s competitiveness in the booming non-sparkling beverage market. Moreover, the deal provided the top soda maker with a new production site in Namwon, a southern city of Korea, meaning the company can cut delivery costs dramatically. Previously, it depended on the existing Yeoju plant in northern Korea to deliver non-carbonated drinks nationwide.