UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 6, 2015

 

 

 

LOGO

COCA-COLA ENTERPRISES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-34874   27-2197395

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File No.)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

2500 Windy Ridge Parkway, Atlanta, Georgia 30339

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(678) 260-3000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

x Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

x Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 


Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.

On August 6, 2015, Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc. (the “Company” or “CCE”), The Coca-Cola Company (“KO”) and Coca Cola Iberian Partners, S.A. (“CCIP”) hosted a conference call for investors to announce that CCE, CCIP, European Refreshments, Coca-Cola Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung, Vivaqa Beteiligungs GmbH & Co. KG, Spark Orange Limited, Orange MergeCo, LLC and Orange U.S. HoldCo, LLC have entered into a definitive agreement under which CCE, CCIP and Coca-Cola Erfrischungsgetränke Aktiengesellschaft, a wholly-owned subsidiary of KO, will combine their respective non-alcoholic, ready-to-drink beverage bottling businesses in western Europe. A copy of the investor presentation is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 8–K and is incorporated herein by reference into this Item 7.01.

Such information shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

 

Item 8.01. Other Events.

On August 6, 2015, CCE, KO and CCIP issued a joint press release announcing that they had entered into agreements under which CCE and CCIP and KO’s wholly owned German subsidiary, Coca-Cola Erfrischungsgetränke Aktiengesellschaft, will be combined after a series of transactions resulting in CCE, CCIP and Coca-Cola Erfrischungsgetränke Aktiengesellschaft being wholly owned subsidiaries of the newly formed Spark Orange Limited (to be renamed Coca-Cola European Partners), a private limited company organized under the laws of England and Wales. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.2 and is incorporated herein by reference into this Item 8.01.

 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits.

 

99.1    Investor presentation, dated August 6, 2015
99.2    Joint press release of the Company, KO and CCIP, dated August 6, 2015

 

-2-


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

    COCA-COLA ENTERPRISES, INC.
      (Registrant)
Date: August 6, 2015     By:  

/s/ Suzanne N. Forlidas

    Name:   Suzanne N. Forlidas
    Title:  

Vice President, Secretary

and Deputy General Counsel



Presenting Coca-Cola
European Partners
August 6, 2015
Exhibit 99.1


2
Included in this presentation are forward-looking management
comments and other statements that reflect management’s
current outlook for future periods.
Included in this presentation are forward-looking management
comments and other statements that reflect management’s
current outlook for future periods.
As always, these expectations
are based on currently available
competitive, financial, and
economic data along with our
current operating plans and are
subject to risks and uncertainties
that could cause actual results to
differ materially from the results
contemplated by the forward-
looking statements.
The forward-looking statements
in this presentation should be
read in conjunction with the risks
and uncertainties discussed in
our filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (“SEC”),
including our most recent Form
10-K and other SEC filings.


3
COCA-COLA
EUROPEAN
PARTNERS
OVERVIEW
COCA-COLA
EUROPEAN
PARTNERS
OVERVIEW
COCA-COLA
EUROPEAN
PARTNERS
BACKGROUND
COCA-COLA
EUROPEAN
PARTNERS
BACKGROUND
TRANSACTION
HIGHLIGHTS
TRANSACTION
HIGHLIGHTS


4
Combines bottling operations of Coca-Cola Enterprises
(CCE), Coca-Cola Iberian Partners (CCIP), and Coca-Cola
Erfrischungsgetränke
(CCEAG) into a new Western
European bottler, Coca-Cola European Partners (CCEP),
serving over 300 million consumers across 13 countries
Combined company pro forma 2015 expected annual net
revenues of $12.6 billion and EBITDA of $2.1 billion
(before synergies)
CCE shareowners to own 48%, CCIP shareowners to
own 34%, and The Coca-Cola Company (TCCC) to own
18% of CCEP on a fully diluted basis
CCE shareowners to receive one share of CCEP and a
cash payment of $14.50 per share of CCE
CCEP will be headquartered and incorporated in the
United Kingdom and publicly traded on the Euronext
Amsterdam, NYSE, and Madrid Stock Exchange
* Owned by controlling shareowner of CCIP, expected to be contributed to CCIP prior to closing
Norway
Sweden
Netherlands
Germany
France
Great
Britain
Iceland*
Spain
Portugal
Andorra
Luxembourg
Monaco
Belgium


5
Enhances alignment of the Coca-Cola system (TCCS) to compete more
effectively across Western Europe with world-class production, sales, and
distribution platforms
Strategically optimizes TCCS to drive growth in the Western European 
Non-Alcoholic Ready-To-Drink (NARTD) market
Improves service to customers and consumers through a more consistent
strategy for product and brand development across Western Europe
Increases scale and flexibility with a broader geographic footprint
Expected to realize annual run-rate pre-tax savings of approximately $350 to
$375 million within 3 years of closing
Leverages best practices and strong leadership from CCE, CCIP, and CCEAG


6
CCE shareowners
to receive one share of CCEP and a cash payment of $14.50
per share of CCE
Participation in long-term upside from ownership in CCEP
Expected
pre-tax, run-rate savings of approximately $350 to $375 million
within 3 years of closing
Solid earnings growth and robust cash flow generation
Continued strong focus on driving shareowner value
CEO: John Brock, Chairman and CEO of CCE
COO:
Damian
Gammell,
CEO
of
Anadolu
Efes
CFO: Nik Jhangiani, CFO of CCE
CIO*: Victor Rufart, General Manager of CCIP
Substantial
Value
Creation
Proven
Management
Team
* Chief Integration Officer


7
Committed to investment grade capital structure for long-term sustainability
Transaction
financed
with
~$3.3
billion
funded
by
the
new
company
using
newly issued debt
Expected to have 2015 pro forma net debt to EBITDA ratio of ~3.5x; given
anticipated cash flows, expect to de-lever to ~2.5x by year-end 2017
Intends
to
operate
within
a
2.5x
to
3.0x
net
debt
ratio
longer
term
CCEP to target attractive total return to shareowners
Expected
dividend payout of 30% to 40% of net income over time
Potential for excess cash return to shareowners to resume once appropriate
net leverage reached
Transaction expected to close during Q2 2016
Closing subject to CCE shareowner, regulatory, and other approvals
Capital
Structure
Capital
Return
Expected
Timing


8
COCA-COLA
EUROPEAN
PARTNERS
OVERVIEW
COCA-COLA
EUROPEAN
PARTNERS
BACKGROUND
TRANSACTION
HIGHLIGHTS


9
Creates the largest independent Coca-Cola bottler based on net revenues
Combines bottling operations of CCE, CCIP, and CCEAG into a new Western
European bottler, serving over 300 million consumers across 13 countries
Strategically positions CCEP to drive growth in the Western European NARTD
market
Builds on each bottler’s capabilities to create more efficient and effective
operations in their respective markets
Expected to realize annual run-rate pre-tax savings of approximately $350 to $375
million within 3 years of closing


10
Today
New Structure
CCIP
HoldCo
Public
100%
100%
100%
18%
34%
48%
+
$14.50/share
in cash
(~$3.3bn)
for CCE
Shareowners
Family
shareholders
CCE
Shareholders
Coca-Cola
European
Partners
CCE, CCIP, and CCEAG will merge their operations across Europe under a new UK company, CCEP
CCE shareowners to own 48%, CCIP shareowners to own 34%, and TCCC to own 18% of CCEP on a fully
diluted basis
Private
Incorporated in Germany
Private
Incorporated in Spain
NYSE: CCE
Incorporated in the US
Euronext Amsterdam (ASX)                       
New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)
Madrid Stock Exchange
Incorporated in the UK


11
Pro Forma 2014 Net Revenue of $12.4B
CCE
CCEAG
CCIP
Norway
Sweden
Netherlands
Germany
France
Great
Britain
Iceland
Spain
Portugal
Andorra
Luxembourg
Monaco
Belgium
Note: 
Financials based on exchange rates of 1.12 $/€, 1.57 $/£, 0.14 $/NOK and 0.12 $/SEK
Great
Britain
20%
Germany
19%
France
18%
BeNeLux
13%
Norway
4%
Sweden
4%
Portugal
1%
Iceland
<1%
Spain 21%


12
Volume
(bn
unit
cases)
2.5
3.4
1.3
2.0
1.3
0.2
0.6
0.5
1.1
0.3
0.7
$12.4
Source: 2014 company filings, FactSet; numbers are rounded


Serves 13 countries in
Western Europe
Consumer population
base of over 300
million
Over 50 bottling
plants and ~27,000
associates
Leading position in
every country
Source: Euromonitor
(a)
Does not include Luxembourg.
Portugal
Pop: 11m
Soft Drinks: 1.4bn
TCCC: 0.1bn
Norway
Pop: 5m
Soft Drinks: 0.7bn
TCCC: 0.2bn
NARTD Market Position
#
#1
#1
Iceland
Pop: 0.3m
Sweden
Pop: 10m
Soft Drinks: 1.1bn
TCCC: 0.3bn
Great Britain
Pop: 64m
Soft Drinks: 8.7bn
TCCC: 1.9bn
France
Pop: 65m
Soft Drinks: 12.6bn
TCCC: 1.4bn
Spain
Pop: 47m
Soft Drinks: 9.4bn
TCCC: 1.8bn
#1
Germany
Pop: 84m
Soft Drinks: 20.0bn
TCCC: 2.1bn
The Netherlands
Pop: 17m
Soft Drinks: 2.3bn
TCCC: 0.4bn
Belgium/Lux.
Pop: 12m
Soft Drinks: 2.5bn
(a)
TCCC: 0.6bn
#1
#1
#1
#1
#1
#1
#1
13


14
Leading Coca-Cola System Bottler
Supply Chain
Excellence
World-Class
Sales Team
Large Store
Expertise
Excellence in
Industrial
Productivity
Excellence in
TCCC Partnership
Model
World-Class
Segmentation of
and Execution in
Outlets
Customer
Engagement &
Loyalty
Winning
Household
Penetration
Strategy
Discounter
Expertise


15
Topline Growth
Supply Chain
Operating
Expenditures
Expected annual run-rate pre-tax savings of
approximately $350 to $375 million within 3 years of closing
Shared vision between
TCCC and CCEP to drive
growth in Western Europe
Become a better
commercial partner to pan-
European, large, local, and
independent customers
Scale and speed to win in
new categories (e.g., stills)
Increase efficiency and
effectiveness of
manufacturing footprint
and warehouse operations
Savings opportunities in
procurement of direct and
indirect categories
Opportunity to share core
support functions across
the new company
Reduce management team
duplications
Adjust required
headquarters facilities


16
Key Pro Forma Metrics
2014
2015E
Net Revenue
EBITDA (before Synergies)
Operating Income (before Synergies)
Run-Rate Annual Pre-Tax Savings
(a)
2015 Net Debt/EBITDA
Effective Tax Rate
$12.4bn
$1.9bn
$1.5bn
$12.6bn
$2.1bn
$1.6bn
~$350 to $375m
~3.5x
26%
-
28%
Note: 
Financials based on exchange rates of 1.12 $/€, 1.57 $/£, 0.14 $/NOK and 0.12 $/SEK
(a)
Implemented within 3 years of closing


17
John Brock, Chairman and CEO of CCE
9 years of experience in the Coca-Cola System
20+ years management experience with leading European beverage companies
Former CEO of InBev
(2003-2005)
COO of Cadbury Schweppes (1999-2002)
Served as Director of Campbell Soup Company and Interbrew/Inbrew
40+
years
experience in
beverage and consumer products industries, particularly in Western Europe
Damian
Gammell,
CEO
of
Anadolou
Efes
24 years experience in the Coca-Cola System with key leadership positions
Former CEO of Coca-Cola
Içecek, former CEO of CCEAG, former Commercial Director of Coca-Cola
Amatil, former CEO of Coca-Cola Hellenic Russia
Named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2009
Nik Jhangiani, CFO of CCE
15+
years
of
experience
in
the
Coca-Cola
System
and
20+
years
as
finance
executive
in
global
markets
Former VP of Finance of CCE, former Group CFO of Bharti Enterprises, former CFO of Coca-Cola
Hellenic Bottling Company (2004-2009)
V
íctor
Rufart, General Manager of CCIP
25 years of experience in the Coca-Cola System
Former General
Manager of Cobega
Mr.
Rufart
successfuly
led the integration of the 8 Spanish and Portuguese bottlers that formed CCIP
.


18
CCEP Board of Directors
Key Contract Provisions
Sol Daurella,
Chairwoman of CCIP, to serve
as Chairwoman of CCEP
John Brock, CEO of CCE, to serve as director
17-member
Board with majority (9)
independent non-executive directors (INEDs)
7 INEDs selected by CCE
2 additional INEDs with EU experience
5 directors selected by CCIP, including
Chair
2 directors selected by TCCC, and
CEO to serve as director
The Senior Independent Director to be
selected by the Board
New 10 + 10 bottling agreement
Initial four-year incidence pricing agreement
extending economic terms currently in place
in each respective territory


19
File Form F-4 registration statement with the SEC
CCE shareowner vote to approve the transaction
Customary regulatory reviews
Closing expected in the second quarter of 2016


20
Strengthens the Coca-Cola System in Western Europe
Strong strategic and economic rationale
Delivers significant value to shareowners
CCEP is an attractive long term total return investment opportunity


21
COCA-COLA
EUROPEAN
PARTNERS
OVERVIEW
COCA-COLA
EUROPEAN
PARTNERS
BACKGROUND
TRANSACTION
HIGHLIGHTS


22
Strong track record of focusing on cash flow
generation and delivering shareowner value
Refreshing 170 million consumers annually with
1.3 billion unit cases manufactured and distributed
from 17 production facilities by ~12k employees
Diversified geographic footprint covering territories
with stable economies, affluent consumers, and
growing population
Geographic Sales Mix
Product Volume Mix*
Source:
CCE 2014 10-K
* CSD = Carbonated
Soft
Drinks,
NCB
=
Non-Carbonated
Soft
Drinks
CSD
87%
NCB
10%
Water
3%
Great
Britain
34%
France
30%
Belgium
15%
The
Netherlands
8%
Norway
7%
Sweden
6%


23
TCCC creates
CCE; NYSE
listing
CCE Merges with
Johnston
Bottling Group
1986
1991
1993
1996
1997
1998
1999
2010
Current
Netherlands
acquisition
Northern France
& Belgium
acquired
Great
Britain &
Canada
acquired
Luxembourg
acquired
Southern
France
acquired
North America
sold; Norway &
Sweden
acquired
Focus on
maximizing
FCF and return
of cash to
shareowners
Evolution from a US bottler to a European bottler
Creation
NA and EU Expansion
Transformation
1
2
3


24
Exclusive bottler for Coca-Cola in Spain, Portugal,
Iceland, and Andorra
Refreshing 57 million consumers annually with
0.5 billion unit cases manufactured and distributed
from 17 production facilities by ~5k employees
Leading player in CSDs in Spain and Portugal and
leading player in NCBs in Spain
Geographic Sales Mix
Product Volume Mix
Source:
Company
internal
reports
CSD
80%
NCB
11%
Water
9%
Spain
94%
Portugal
5%
Iceland
1%


25
Formation of
CCIP through
the merger of 8
bottlers
Feb 2013
Beginning
of the
integration
process
Jun 2013
End of the
integration
process
Dec 2014
Ongoing
Further margin
improvement
initiatives
~1950
60+ years of
experience of
success and value
creation in the
bottling business
for TCCC
CCIP was formed
through
the
merger
of
8
bottlers
successful
integration
process and further margin improvement initiatives underway


26
Continuous gain of CSD volume share since 2010
Refreshing 80 million consumers annually with
0.7 billion unit cases manufactured and distributed
from 20 production facilities by ~10k employees
Highest customer satisfaction score of NARTD
manufacturers and top workplace in FMCG industry
Product Volume Mix
Source:
Company
internal
reports
CSD
86%
NCB
3%
Water
11%


27
Coca-Cola has transformed its German bottling network from a fragmented
patchwork of individually owned local bottlers to a single bottler for the entire
German market
1946
2007
2008
2009
2010
2014
1974
1998
124
bottlers
1
bottler
116
bottlers
8
bottlers
Bottler Integration:
Financial, legal &
organizational consolidation
Restructuring:
Production,
Distribution and HC
Scale / Coke One:
Harmonization of
processes & systems


Presenting Coca-Cola
European Partners
August 6, 2015


29
Forward-Looking Statements
This communication
may
contain
statements,
estimates
or
projections
that
constitute
“forward-looking
statements”
as
defined
under
U.S.
federal
securities
laws.
Generally,
the
words
“believe,”
“expect,”
“intend,”
“estimate,”
“anticipate,”
“project,”
“plan,”
“seek,”
“may,”
“could,”
“would,”
“should,”
“might,”
“will,”
“forecast,”
“outlook,”
“guidance,”
“possible,”
“potential,”
“predict”
and
similar
expressions
identify
forward-looking
statements,
which
generally
are
not
historical
in
nature.
Forward-looking
statements
are
subject
to
certain
risks
and
uncertainties
that
could
cause
actual
results
to
differ
materially
from
The
Coca-Cola
Company’s
(“KO”),
Coca-Cola
Enterprises,
Inc.’s
(“CCE”)
or
Spark
Orange
Limited’s
(“CCEP”)
historical
experience
and
their
respective
present
expectations
or
projections,
including
expectations
or
projections
with
respect to the transaction. These risks include, but are not limited to, obesity concerns; water scarcity and poor quality; evolving consumer preferences; increased
competition
and
capabilities
in
the
marketplace;
product
safety
and
quality
concerns;
perceived
negative
health
consequences
of
certain
ingredients,
such
as
non-nutritive
sweeteners
and
biotechnology-derived
substances,
and
of
other
substances
present
in
their
beverage
products
or
packaging
materials;
increased
demand
for
food
products
and
decreased
agricultural
productivity;
changes
in
the
retail
landscape
or
the
loss
of
key
retail
or
foodservice
customers;
an
inability
to
expand
operations
in
emerging
or
developing
markets;
fluctuations
in
foreign
currency
exchange
rates;
interest
rate
increases;
an
inability
to
maintain
good
relationships
with
their
partners; a
deterioration
in
their
partners’
financial
condition;
increases
in
income
tax
rates,
changes
in
income
tax
laws
or
unfavorable
resolution
of
tax
matters;
increased
or
new
indirect
taxes
in
the
United
States
or
in
other
tax
jurisdictions;
increased
cost,
disruption
of
supply
or
shortage
of
energy
or
fuels;
increased
cost,
disruption
of
supply or
shortage
of
ingredients,
other
raw
materials
or
packaging
materials;
changes
in
laws
and
regulations
relating
to
beverage
containers
and
packaging;
significant
additional
labeling
or
warning
requirements
or
limitations
on
the
availability
of
their
respective
products;
an
inability
to
protect
their
respective
information
systems
against
service
interruption,
misappropriation
of
data
or
breaches
of
security;
unfavorable
general
economic
or
political
conditions
in
the
United
States,
Europe
or
elsewhere;
litigation or
legal
proceedings;
adverse
weather
conditions;
climate
change;
damage
to
their
respective
brand
images
and
corporate
reputation
from
negative
publicity,
even
if
unwarranted,
related
to
product
safety
or
quality,
human
and
workplace
rights,
obesity
or
other
issues;
changes
in,
or
failure
to
comply
with,
the
laws
and
regulations
applicable
to
their
respective
products
or
business
operations;
changes
in
accounting
standards;
an
inability
to
achieve
their
respective
overall
long-term
growth
objectives;
deterioration
of
global
credit
market
conditions;
default
by
or
failure
of
one
or
more
of
their
respective
counterparty
financial
institutions;
an
inability
to
timely
implement
their
previously
announced
actions
to
reinvigorate
growth,
or
to
realize
the
economic
benefits
they
anticipate
from
these
actions;
failure
to
realize
a
significant
portion
of
the
anticipated
benefits
of
their
respective
strategic
relationships,
including
(without
limitation)
KO’s
relationship
with
Keurig
Green
Mountain,
Inc.
and
Monster
Beverage
Corporation;
an
inability
to
renew
collective
bargaining
agreements
on
satisfactory
terms,
or
they
or
their
respective
partners
experience
strikes,
work
stoppages
or
labor
unrest;
future
impairment
charges;
multi-employer
plan
withdrawal
liabilities
in
the
future;
an
inability
to
successfully
manage
the
possible
negative
consequences
of
their
respective
productivity
initiatives;
global
or
regional
catastrophic
events;
risks
and
uncertainties
relating
to
the
transaction,
including
the
risk
that
the
businesses
will
not
be
integrated
successfully
or
such
integration
may
be
more
difficult,
time-consuming
or
costly
than
expected,
which
could
result
in
additional
demands
on
KO’s
or
CCEP’s
resources,
systems,
procedures
and
controls,
disruption
of
its
ongoing
business
and
diversion
of
management’s
attention
from
other
business
concerns,
the
possibility
that
certain
assumptions
with
respect
to
CCEP
or
the
transaction
could
prove
to
be
inaccurate,
the
failure
to
receive,
delays
in
the
receipt
of,
or
unacceptable
or
burdensome
conditions
imposed
in
connection
with,
all
required
regulatory
approvals
and
the
satisfaction
of
the
closing
conditions
to
the
transaction,
the
potential
failure
to
retain
key
employees
of
CCE,
Coca-Cola
Iberian
Partners,
S.A.’s
(“CCIP”)
as
a
result
of
the
proposed
transaction
or
during
integration
of
the
businesses
and
disruptions
resulting
from
the
proposed
transaction,
making
it
more
difficult
to
maintain
business
relationships;
and
other
risks
discussed
in
KO’s
and
CCE’s
filings
with
the
Securities
and
Exchange
Commission
(the
“SEC”),
including
their
respective
Annual
Reports
on
Form
10-K
for
the
year
ended
December
31,
2014,
subsequently
filed
Quarterly
Reports
on Form
10-Q
and
Current
Reports
on
Form
8-K,
which
filings
are
available
from
the
SEC.
You
should
not
place
undue
reliance
on
forward-looking
statements,
which
speak
only
as
of
the
date
they
are
made.
None
of
KO,
CCE,
CCIP
or
CCEP
undertakes
any
obligation
to
publicly
update
or
revise
any
forward-looking
statements,
whether
as a
result
of
new
information,
future
events,
or
otherwise.
None
of
KO,
CCE,
CCIP
or
CCEP
assumes
responsibility
for
the
accuracy
and
completeness
of
any
forward-
looking
statements.
Any
or
all
of
the
forward-looking
statements
contained
in
this
filing
and
in
any
other
of
their
respective
public
statements
may
prove
to
be
incorrect.


30
Important
Additional
Information
and
Where
to
Find
It
This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a
solicitation of any vote or approval.
In connection with the proposed transaction, CCEP will file with the SEC a registration statement on Form F-4 that will
include
a
preliminary
proxy
statement/prospectus
regarding
the
proposed
transaction.
After
the
registration
statement
has
been declared effective by the SEC, a definitive proxy statement/prospectus will be mailed to CCE’s stockholders in
connection
with
the
proposed
transaction.
INVESTORS
ARE
URGED
TO
READ
THE
PROXY
STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS
(INCLUDING ALL AMENDMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND OTHER DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE
TRANSACTION FILED WITH THE SEC WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN
IMPORTANT
INFORMATION
ABOUT
THE
PROPOSED
TRANSACTION.
You
may
obtain
a
copy
of
the
proxy
statement/prospectus (when available) and other related documents filed by KO, CCE or CCEP with the SEC regarding the
proposed transaction as well as other filings containing information, free of charge, through the website maintained by the SEC
at www.sec.gov, by directing a request to KO’s Investor Relations department at (404) 676-2121, or to CCE’s Investor
Relations
department
at
(678)
260-3110,
Attn:
Thor
Erickson
Investor
Relations.
Copies
of
the
proxy
statement/prospectus
and the filings with the SEC that will be incorporated by reference in the proxy statement/prospectus can also be obtained,
when
available,
without
charge,
from
KO’s
website
at
www.coca-colacompany.com
under
the
heading
“Investors”
and
CCE’s
website
at
www.cokecce.com
under
the
heading
“Investors.”
Participants in Solicitation
KO, CCE and CCEP and their respective directors, executive officers and certain other members of management and
employees
may
be
deemed
to
be
participants
in
the
solicitation
of
proxies
in
favor
of
the
proposed
merger.
Information
regarding
the
persons
who
may,
under
the
rules
of
the
SEC,
be
considered
participants
in
the
solicitation
of
proxies
in
favor
of
the
proposed
merger
will
be
set
forth
in
the
proxy
statement/prospectus
when
it
is
filed
with
the
SEC.
You
can
find
information
about KO’s and CCE’s directors and executive officers in their respective definitive proxy statements filed with the SEC on
March 12, 2015, and March 11, 2015, respectively. You can obtain free copies of these documents from KO and CCE,
respectively, using the contact information above.
Information regarding CCEP’s directors and executive officers will be
available in the proxy statement/prospectus when it is filed with the SEC.


Exhibit 99.2

 

LOGO

 

LOGO

COCA-COLA ENTERPRISES, COCA-COLA IBERIAN PARTNERS AND COCA-COLA ERFRISCHUNGSGETRÄNKE AG TO FORM COCA-COLA EUROPEAN PARTNERS

Merger Will Create the World’s Largest Independent Coca-Cola Bottler Based on Net Revenues

 

    Combines bottling operations of Coca-Cola Enterprises, Coca-Cola Iberian Partners and Coca-Cola Erfrischungsgetränke AG into a new Western European bottler, serving over 300 million consumers across 13 countries

 

    Combined company pro forma 2015 expected annual net revenues of approximately $12.6 billion and EBITDA of $2.1 billion

 

    Enhances the Coca-Cola system to more effectively compete and drive growth across developed European markets with a world-class production, sales and distribution platform

 

    Coca-Cola European Partners is expected to realize annual run-rate pre-tax synergies of approximately $350-375 million within three years of closing

 

    Coca-Cola Enterprises’ shareowners to own 48%, Coca-Cola Iberian Partners’ shareowners to own 34% and The Coca-Cola Company to own 18% of Coca-Cola European Partners’ shares on a fully diluted basis

 

    Coca-Cola Enterprises’ shareowners to receive one share of Coca-Cola European Partners and a one-time cash payment of $14.50 per share

 

    Coca-Cola European Partners will be publicly traded on the Euronext Amsterdam, the New York Stock Exchange and the Madrid Stock Exchange

 

    Investment community conference call at 8:30 a.m. EDT, 1:30 p.m. BST and 2:30 p.m. CEST


ATLANTA and MADRID, Aug. 6, 2015 – Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc. (“CCE”) (NYSE: CCE) (Euronext Paris: CCE), Coca-Cola Iberian Partners SA (“CCIP”) and Coca-Cola Erfrischungsgetränke AG (“CCEAG”), a wholly owned subsidiary of The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO), today announced they have agreed to combine their businesses into a new company to be called Coca-Cola European Partners Plc., in a transformational transaction that will create the world’s largest independent Coca-Cola bottler based on net revenues. Through a world-class production, sales and distribution platform for the Coca-Cola system in Western Europe, Coca-Cola European Partners will be positioned to deliver superior execution and customer service, driving long-term value creation for shareowners.

Strategically Positioned to Capture Growth

With more than 50 bottling plants and approximately 27,000 associates, Coca-Cola European Partners will serve a consumer population of over 300 million in 13 countries across Western Europe, including Andorra, Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, Iceland, Luxembourg, Monaco, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the Netherlands. The combined company will operate in the four largest markets for nonalcoholic ready-to-drink beverages in Western Europe – Germany, Spain, Great Britain and France.

 

Once combined, Coca-Cola European Partners will leverage and build on the best practices from each respective market and bottler to improve service to customers and consumers through a more consistent strategy for product development and market execution across Western Europe. The increased scale and flexibility of Coca-Cola European Partners’ broader European geographic footprint will allow it to compete more effectively across nonalcoholic beverage categories.

 

Coca-Cola European Partners is expected to generate substantial synergies, including supply chain benefits and operating efficiencies. These synergies are expected to result in realized annual run-rate pre-tax savings of approximately $350-375 million within three years of closing. The new company’s synergies will also position it for increased investment in sales and customer-facing activities to drive incremental top-line and profit growth over the long term.

   LOGO

 

2


Coca-Cola European Partners will combine the unique market knowledge of CCE, CCIP and CCEAG, enabling increased coordination and innovation to better serve customers and consumers at a local level in each market. As a larger and more diverse company, Coca-Cola European Partners will continue to invest, employ, manufacture and distribute locally, maintaining a strong commitment to the economic and social well-being of each community it serves.

“The creation of a larger, unified Coca-Cola bottling partner in Western Europe represents an important step in our global system’s evolution,” said Muhtar Kent, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Coca-Cola Company. “We continue to adapt our business model to innovate, invest and grow along with the changing demands of the marketplace. With the strong leadership that will be assembled from across the three organizations, Coca-Cola European Partners will be well-positioned to deliver better and more effective service to customers throughout Western Europe and drive profitable growth across multiple beverage categories.”

Sol Daurella, Executive Chairwoman of Coca-Cola Iberian Partners, added, “In 2013, we combined our family-owned Iberian Coca-Cola bottlers with over 60 years of history to better serve our customers and consumers. Our Iberian shareowners see today’s announcement as an important step to further develop and optimize our offerings in Western Europe. As the single-largest shareowner in this new business we will play a strong strategic role in Coca-Cola European Partners, while continuing to be close to our country, business, local consumers and customers. Combining our unique expertise in the on-premise channels, targeted marketing experience and operational excellence with the skills of CCE and CCEAG, together we will drive growth in Western Europe.”

“The creation of Coca-Cola European Partners will build on each bottler’s capabilities to create more efficient operations in their respective markets across Western Europe,” said John Brock, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Coca-Cola Enterprises. “We look forward to bringing together our world-class supply chain and sales team with the distinct strengths offered by CCIP and CCEAG to capture additional growth opportunities in each market. This transaction offers clear synergies, along with the scale to better serve the needs of our customers and consumers in Western Europe, to become an even stronger partner to The Coca-Cola Company and create increased value for CCE’s shareowners.”

 

3


Management and Governance

Ms. Daurella will become Chairwoman of Coca-Cola European Partners and Mr. Brock will become Chief Executive Officer. Both will be members of the Board of Directors.

Damian Gammell, currently Beverage Group President and CEO of Anadolu Efes and a previous Chief Executive Officer of CCEAG, will join CCE as Chief Operating Officer in autumn 2015 and become Chief Operating Officer of Coca-Cola European Partners upon closing. Manik (“Nik”) Jhangiani, currently the Chief Financial Officer of CCE, will become Coca-Cola European Partners’ Chief Financial Officer and Víctor Rufart, currently General Manager of CCIP, will become Chief Integration Officer. Other members of the new executive team will be announced before the closing of the transaction.

Along with Ms. Daurella and Mr. Brock, the initial Board of Directors of Coca-Cola European Partners will consist of 15 additional members, with the majority of the Board being independent, non-executive directors.

Coca-Cola European Partners will be incorporated in the United Kingdom, one of its largest markets, with its headquarters in London. The combined company will be publicly traded with listings on the Euronext Amsterdam, the New York Stock Exchange and the Madrid Stock Exchange.

Transaction Structure

At closing, Coca-Cola Iberian Partners and The Coca-Cola Company will own 34% and 18% of the combined company, respectively, with CCE shareowners owning 48% on a fully diluted basis. CCE shareowners will receive, for each CCE share held, one share of Coca-Cola European Partners and a one-time cash payment of $14.50 per share. The aggregate one-time cash payment of approximately $3.3 billion will be funded by the new company using newly issued debt.

On a pre-synergy, pro forma basis, for 2015 the combined company’s annual net revenues are expected to be approximately $12.6 billion with $2.1 billion of EBITDA and $1.6 billion of operating income with a volume of 2.5 billion unit cases. Coca-Cola European Partners’ effective tax rate is expected to be in a range of 26 to 28%.

The combined company is expected to have a 2015 pro forma net debt to EBITDA ratio of approximately 3.5x, and given anticipated cash flows, is expected to de-lever to approximately 2.5x by year-end 2017. Coca-Cola European Partners is fully committed to an investment-grade rating and intends to operate within a 2.5x-3.0x net debt to EBITDA ratio longer term. It intends to distribute dividends per share in the range of approximately 30 to 40% of net income over time, to be determined by its Board of Directors.

 

4


The Coca-Cola Company expects to account for its stake under the equity method of accounting and expects the merger to be slightly accretive to 2016 comparable EPS.

In support of this growth plan, The Coca-Cola Company and Coca-Cola European Partners will enter into a new 10-year bottling agreement with an option to renew for an additional 10-year period. There will be an initial four-year incidence pricing agreement, extending economic terms currently in place in each respective territory.

Approvals

The Boards of Directors of Coca-Cola Enterprises, Coca-Cola Iberian Partners and The Coca-Cola Company have approved the transaction. The proposed merger is subject to approval by CCE’s shareowners, receipt of regulatory clearances and other customary conditions. The merger is expected to close in the second quarter of 2016.

Advisers

Deutsche Bank acted as exclusive financial adviser to The Coca-Cola Company. Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP acted as legal counsel to The Coca-Cola Company, and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP acted as tax counsel to The Coca-Cola Company.

Lazard acted as lead financial adviser to CCE and Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP and Slaughter and May served as legal counsel to the company. Credit Suisse acted as financial adviser to the Franchise Relationship Committee (FRC) of the Board of Directors of CCE; Clay Long Esq. and Baker Hostetler LLP served as legal counsel to the FRC.

Rothschild acted as exclusive financial adviser to Coca-Cola Iberian Partners. Allen & Overy LLP and Uria Menendez served as legal counsel to Coca-Cola Iberian Partners.

Investor Conference Call Details

All three parties will host a conference call with investors to discuss the announcement at 8:30 a.m. EDT, 1:30 p.m. BST and 2:30 p.m. CEST. We invite investors to listen to the live audiocast of the conference call at either www.thecoca-colacompany.com or http://www.cokecce.com in the “Investors” section. Further, a supplemental presentation providing additional details pertaining to the transaction and addressing financial modeling related questions is posted in the “Investors” section of CCE’s website.

 

5


Contacts   
Media    Investors and Analysts
The Coca-Cola Company    The Coca-Cola Company
Kent Landers    Tim Leveridge
T +01.404.676.2683    T +01.404.676.7563
Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc.    Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc.
Fred Roselli    Thor Erickson
T +01.678.260.3421    T +01.678.260.3110
Coca-Cola Iberian Partners    Coca-Cola Iberian Partners
Fernando Amenedo / Rosa Yagüe    Albert Perez
T +34.915765250    T +34.915765250
Coca-Cola Erfrischungsgetränke AG   
Patrick Kammerer   
T +49.30.22606.9800   

About Coca-Cola Enterprises

Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc. is the leading Western European marketer, producer, and distributor of nonalcoholic ready-to-drink beverages and one of the world’s largest independent Coca-Cola bottlers. CCE is the sole licensed bottler for products of The Coca-Cola Company in Belgium, continental France, Great Britain, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden. CCE operates with a local focus and has 17 manufacturing sites across Europe, where the company manufactures nearly 90 percent of its products in the markets in which they are consumed. Sustainability is core to CCE’s business, and the company has been recognized by leading organizations in North America and Europe for its progress in water use reduction, carbon footprint reduction, and recycling initiatives. For more information about CCE, please visit www.cokecce.com and follow the company on Twitter at @cokecce.

About Coca-Cola Iberian Partners

Coca-Cola Iberian Partners is the bottling partner of The Coca-Cola Company for Spain, Portugal and Andorra. Coca-Cola Iberian Partners is responsible for meeting the demand for The Coca-Cola Company’s products at every stage: manufacturing, packaging, distribution and management of the different client channels. Coca-Cola Iberian Partners, with a staff of 4,380 employees, distributes products to Spain, Portugal and Andorra, serves 396,000 clients and reaches more than 55 million consumers. Coca-Cola Iberian Partners markets 17 different brands with 81 products. It has eight soft drink manufacturers, one of concentrated juice and six natural mineral water springs in operation. For further information please visit: www.cocacolaiberianpartners.com.

About Coca-Cola Erfrischungsgetränke AG

Coca-Cola Erfrischungsgetränke AG (CCEAG) is the largest German beverage company with a sales volume of 3.8 billion liters (2014). As a franchisee of The Coca-Cola Company (Atlanta), CCEAG is in charge of bottling as well as sales and distribution of Coca-Cola branded products in Germany. CCEAG serves around 400,000 trade and horeca customers and employs around 9,500 people. The beverages are bottled at more than 20 production plants.

 

6


About The Coca-Cola Company

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is the world’s largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. Led by Coca-Cola, one of the world’s most valuable and recognizable brands, our Company’s portfolio features 20 billion-dollar brands including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply, Georgia and Del Valle. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, ready-to-drink coffees, and juices and juice drinks. Through the world’s largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy our beverages at a rate of 1.9 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that reduce our environmental footprint, support active, healthy living, create a safe, inclusive work environment for our associates, and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. Together with our bottling partners, we rank among the world’s top 10 private employers with more than 700,000 system associates. For more information, visit Coca-Cola Journey at www.coca-colacompany.com, follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/CocaColaCo, visit our blog, Coca-Cola Unbottled, at www.coca-colablog.com or find us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/the-coca-cola-company.

Forward-Looking Statements

This communication may contain statements, estimates or projections that constitute “forward-looking statements” as defined under U.S. federal securities laws. Generally, the words “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “project,” “plan,” “seek,” “may,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “might,” “will,” “forecast,” “outlook,” “guidance,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which generally are not historical in nature. Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from The Coca-Cola Company’s (“KO”), Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc.’s (“CCE”) or Spark Orange Limited’s (“CCEP”) historical experience and their respective present expectations or projections, including expectations or projections with respect to the transaction. These risks include, but are not limited to, obesity concerns; water scarcity and poor quality; evolving consumer preferences; increased competition and capabilities in the marketplace; product safety and quality concerns; perceived negative health consequences of certain ingredients, such as non-nutritive sweeteners and biotechnology-derived substances, and of other substances present in their beverage products or packaging materials; increased demand for food products and decreased agricultural productivity; changes in the retail landscape or the loss of key retail or foodservice customers; an inability to expand operations in emerging or developing markets; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; interest rate increases; an inability to maintain good relationships with their partners; a deterioration in their partners’ financial condition; increases in income tax rates, changes in income tax laws or unfavorable resolution of tax matters; increased or new indirect taxes in the United States or in other tax jurisdictions; increased cost, disruption of supply or shortage of energy or fuels; increased cost, disruption of supply or shortage of ingredients, other raw materials or packaging materials; changes in laws and regulations relating to beverage containers and packaging; significant additional labeling or warning requirements or limitations on the availability of their respective products; an inability to protect their respective information systems against service interruption, misappropriation of data or breaches of security; unfavorable general economic or political conditions in the United States, Europe or elsewhere; litigation or legal proceedings; adverse weather conditions; climate change; damage to their respective brand images and corporate reputation from negative publicity, even if unwarranted, related to product safety or quality, human and workplace rights, obesity or other issues; changes in, or failure to comply with, the laws and regulations applicable to their respective products or business operations; changes in accounting standards; an inability to achieve their respective overall long-term growth

 

7


objectives; deterioration of global credit market conditions; default by or failure of one or more of their respective counterparty financial institutions; an inability to timely implement their previously announced actions to reinvigorate growth, or to realize the economic benefits they anticipate from these actions; failure to realize a significant portion of the anticipated benefits of their respective strategic relationships, including (without limitation) KO’s relationship with Keurig Green Mountain, Inc. and Monster Beverage Corporation; an inability to renew collective bargaining agreements on satisfactory terms, or they or their respective partners experience strikes, work stoppages or labor unrest; future impairment charges; multi-employer plan withdrawal liabilities in the future; an inability to successfully manage the possible negative consequences of their respective productivity initiatives; global or regional catastrophic events; risks and uncertainties relating to the transaction, including the risk that the businesses will not be integrated successfully or such integration may be more difficult, time-consuming or costly than expected, which could result in additional demands on KO’s or CCEP’s resources, systems, procedures and controls, disruption of its ongoing business and diversion of management’s attention from other business concerns, the possibility that certain assumptions with respect to CCEP or the transaction could prove to be inaccurate, the failure to receive, delays in the receipt of, or unacceptable or burdensome conditions imposed in connection with, all required regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of the closing conditions to the transaction, the potential failure to retain key employees of CCE, Coca-Cola Iberian Partners, S.A.’s (“CCIP”) as a result of the proposed transaction or during integration of the businesses and disruptions resulting from the proposed transaction, making it more difficult to maintain business relationships; and other risks discussed in KO’s and CCE’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including their respective Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, which filings are available from the SEC. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. None of KO, CCE, CCIP or CCEP undertakes any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. None of KO, CCE, CCIP or CCEP assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any forward-looking statements. Any or all of the forward-looking statements contained in this filing and in any other of their respective public statements may prove to be incorrect.

Important Additional Information and Where to Find It

This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval.

In connection with the proposed transaction, CCEP will file with the SEC a registration statement on Form F-4 that will include a preliminary proxy statement/prospectus regarding the proposed transaction. After the registration statement has been declared effective by the SEC, a definitive proxy statement/prospectus will be mailed to CCE’s stockholders in connection with the proposed transaction. INVESTORS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS (INCLUDING ALL AMENDMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND OTHER DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE TRANSACTION FILED WITH THE SEC WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. You may obtain a copy of the proxy statement/prospectus (when available) and other related documents filed by KO, CCE or CCEP with the SEC regarding the proposed transaction as well as other filings containing information, free of charge, through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov, by directing a request to KO’s Investor Relations department at (404) 676-2121, or to CCE’s Investor Relations department at (678) 260-3110, Attn: Thor Erickson – Investor Relations. Copies of the proxy statement/prospectus and the filings with the SEC that will be incorporated by reference in the proxy statement/prospectus can also be obtained, when available, without charge, from KO’s website at www.coca-colacompany.com under the heading “Investors” and CCE’s website at www.cokecce.com under the heading “Investors.”

 

8


Participants in Solicitation

KO, CCE and CCEP and their respective directors, executive officers and certain other members of management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in favor of the proposed merger. Information regarding the persons who may, under the rules of the SEC, be considered participants in the solicitation of proxies in favor of the proposed merger will be set forth in the proxy statement/prospectus when it is filed with the SEC. You can find information about KO’s and CCE’s directors and executive officers in their respective definitive proxy statements filed with the SEC on March 12, 2015, and March 11, 2015, respectively. You can obtain free copies of these documents from KO and CCE, respectively, using the contact information above. Information regarding CCEP’s directors and executive officers will be available in the proxy statement/prospectus when it is filed with the SEC.

No Profit Forecast

No statement in this announcement is intended to constitute a profit forecast for any period, nor should any statements be interpreted to mean that revenues, EBITDA, earnings per share or any other metric will necessarily be greater or less than those for the relevant preceding financial periods for CCE, CCIP, Coca-Cola Erfrischungsgetränke AG (“CCEAG”) or CCEP, as appropriate. No statement in this announcement constitutes an asset valuation.

Subject to its legal and regulatory obligations, neither CCEP, nor any of its agents, employees or advisors intends or has any duty or obligation to supplement, amend, update or revise any of the statements contained in this document to reflect any change in expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based. In no circumstances shall the provision of this document imply that no negative change may occur in the business of CCE, CCIP, CCEAG or CCEP, as appropriate, after the date of provision of this document, or any date of amendment and/or addition thereto.

This document is not a prospectus for the purposes of the Prospectus Directive. A prospectus prepared pursuant to the Prospectus Directive is intended to be published, which, when published, will be available from CCEP at its registered office. Investors should not subscribe for any securities referred to in this document except on the basis of information contained in the prospectus. The expression “Prospectus Directive” means Directive 2003/71/EC (and amendments thereto, including Directive 2010/73/EU, to the extent implemented in any relevant Member State) and includes any relevant implementing measure in the relevant Member State. Any offer of securities to the public that may be deemed to be made pursuant to this communication in any EEA Member State that has implemented the Prospectus Directive is addressed solely to qualified investors (within the meaning of the Prospectus Directive) in that Member State.

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION.

###

 

9

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