Additional countries in Europe, Asia, North America, Eurasia and the Pacific are slated for expansion throughout the remainder of 2008 and into 2009 and will be delivered through the Coca-Cola system.

The highly profitable RTD coffee category globally is valued at just under $16 billion and has experienced several years of growth that is expected to continue. Globally (excluding Japan), the ready-to-drink coffee category has grown at an average rate of 10.1% over the past five years.

"When we announced the partnership between The Coca-Cola Company and illy a few months ago, we committed to deliver the perfect ready to drink espresso experience," said Muhtar Kent, president and chief operating officer, The Coca-Cola Company. "Today, we believe we have delivered on that promise with an authentic Italian coffee experience. I look forward to this partnership delivering these great brands across the globe and enhancing our global leadership in the fast growing RTD coffee category."

"Over the past few months, we put the effort into bringing to life the illy taste in three new ready to drink espresso-based products," said Andrea Illy, illycaffè chairman. "Now, our objective is to give consistency -- together with Coca-Cola -- to what premium ready to drink coffee is. Coca-Cola in its history has invented entire new product categories. illycaffè is the company that greatly contributed to the definition of the espresso category. Together, we will redefine how people engage with a ready to drink coffee in order to experience a true small luxury pleasure."

The companies announced an agreement in October 2007 to focus on premium ready-to-drink coffee based beverages. Ilko Coffee International is based in Milan and will be led by Vinay Kapoor, a Coca-Cola executive with over 14 years of successful experience across a number of geographies and across multiple functions.

From the March 31, 2008, Prepared Foods e-Flash