The transaction is expected to be accretive to The Coca-Cola Company's earnings per share in the first full year following completion of the acquisition. "We welcome vitaminwater, the icon of active lifestyles, to Coca-Cola, the ultimate and enduring icon of refreshment," said Neville Isdell, chairman and chief executive officer of The Coca-Cola Company. "Glacéau has built a great business with high-quality growth, as well as a strong pipeline of innovative products and brands. We envision even faster growth for Glacéau as part of Coca-Cola's enhanced range of brands for North American customers and consumers. We will manage this opportunity in a way that delivers attractive returns for our shareowners and also appropriately benefits our system," Isdell concluded.
"This is an outstanding opportunity for both of our companies to build an expanded active lifestyle business, first in the U.S. and then around the world," said Muhtar Kent, president and chief operating officer of The Coca-Cola Company. "It sharpens even further our existing focus on re-establishing sustainable growth in our home market, strengthening our system, and leveraging acquisition opportunities to gain speed and capabilities in key categories. We're committed to winning by reigniting growth in our core business of sparkling beverages while becoming the fastest-growing still beverage company in North America. I am confident we have the strategy, focus and leadership team in North America to deliver on that promise.