Coca Cola acquires Bambi and strengthens its presence in Serbia

Coca Cola HBC has begun the process of acquisition of leading Serbian confectionery company Bambi from Mid Europa Partners.

The deal is expected to close in the second quarter of 2019 for an enterprise value of €260 million.

The operation will enable Coca Cola to add new iconic brands to its portfolio in the Western Balkans and Serbia, where it has been operating successfully since 1968 and now has 14 production lines and over 1,000 employees. It has invested over €3 million in the local community through long-term programmes and CSR activities.

Bambi, founded in 1967, produces a wide range of products including biscuits, wafers and savoury snacks under the Bambi, Plazma, Wellness, Zlatni Pek and Josh brand names.

In 2018 it posted revenues of €80 million, of which more than two-thirds was generated in Serbia and the rest in the Western Balkans. It has an EBIT margin almost three times higher than that of Coca-Cola HBC.