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The Coca-Cola Company has agreed to acquire Billson’s, an Australian alcohol ready-to-drink (RTD) brand known for products like Vodka with Tangle, Vodka with Grape Burst and Vodka with Portello.

According to the company, the current owners of Billson's, Nathan and Felicity Cowan, will continue producing cordials, sodas and beers under a new brand and retain their hospitality business in Beechworth, Victoria.

Matthias Blume, Coca‑Cola's VP of marketing for ASEAN and South Pacific, said: “We are excited to add Billson’s to our portfolio of Australian brands. This acquisition allows us to expand in the dynamic and growing alcoholic ready-to-drink category in Australia and aligns with our vision to provide a beverage for every occasion, always keeping the consumer at the centre of everything we do."

"Of course, we know that offering options with alcohol brings new responsibilities for us, and we take these seriously. Our Responsible Alcohol Marketing Policy determines how we responsibly go to market with alcohol brands.”

Blume added: “We are looking forward to expanding on those foundations and bringing great-tasting Billson’s products to even more Australians".

Nathan said it was "thrilled" to have entered into an agreement to sell Billson's to a company like Coca Cola. He commented: "We wholeheartedly believe that the brand is in the best possible hands for it to thrive long into the future”.

Felicity added: “This will allow us to dedicate ourselves to what we love most: the Beechworth venue experience and our historic cordial range. We’ll also have more time to focus on our passion for soda, liqueurs, beer and alpine spring water.”

The deal is set to finalise on 31 January 2025. Coca-Cola has no current plans to expand Billson’s beyond Australia.

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Top image: © Billson's Beechworth

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