PepsiCo pays $3.2B for SodaStream to win new customers
JERUSALEM — PepsiCo bought carbonated drink maker SodaStream for $3.2 billion on Monday, a move the beverage giant hopes will further help it adjust as consumers drink less traditional soda and opt more for flavored waters and other drinks.
The deal is also a boon to SodaStream, which has enjoyed a resurgence after being targeted by anti-Israel boycotters in the past. The Israel-based company, which produces machines that allow people to make fizzy drinks in their own homes, has positioned itself as a provider of a healthy product in contrast to traditional sugary, carbonated drinks.
PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi — who is stepping down from the CEO post in October — called the companies “an inspired match” since both companies aim to reduce waste and limit their environmental footprint.
SodaStream CEO Daniel Birnbaum said that the deal marked a “validation of our mission to bring healthy, convenient and environmentally friendly beverage solutions to consumers around the world.”
As consumers’ tastes change, Purchase, N.Y.-based PepsiCo has launched a sparkling, flavored water brand called Bubly, a nod to the success of drinks like La Croix.
Even rival Coca-Cola is diversifying more. Last week Coca-Cola announced that it was buying a minority ownership stake in sports drink maker BodyArmor for an undisclosed amount. Atlanta-based Coca-Cola also makes the sports drink Powerade, while PepsiCo makes the more popular Gatorade. Coca-Cola’s other investments in recent years have included milk that is strained to have more protein and a push behind sparkling water.
PepsiCo is acquiring all of SodaStream’s outstanding shares at $144 per share, a 32 percent premium to the 30-day volume weighted average price.
SodaStream has reported its strongest results.
