Polish juice manufacturing group Maspex Wadowice has acquired Romanian mineral water producer Rio Bucovina, according to media reports.
Rio Bucovina is the second largest manufacturer of water in terms of volume sales in the Romanian market, with a market share of 10%. As part of the deal, Maspex Wadowice plans to acquire three manufacturing plants in the cities of Vatra Dornei, in northern Romania; Giurgiu, on the country’s southern border with Bulgaria; and Timișoara.
The deal, which is still subject to approval from the country’s competition authority, will be Maspex Wadowice’s 18th acquisition in total, Polish media was reporting on Monday. The Southern Poland-based group had previously acquired a majority stake in juice, processed fruit and vegetable products manufacturer Agros Nova, as well as 44% of the shares in pharmaceutical company Sequoia.
Maspex Wadowice president Krzysztof Pawiński said: “In Romania, we have a very strong position in the segment of instant products with brands La Festa and Ekland; the market for juices, nectars and drinks with brands Tedi and Tymbark; and in the category of crackers and pretzels with the brand Salatini. In the water market until now, we did not, and this is a category that is growing.
“The brand Bucovina greatly increases our competitiveness and strengthens the position of our company in the Romanian market. Water consumption in Romania is still at a lower level than in other European countries, which certainly gives a perspective for further development.”
Rio Bucovina CEO Dorel Radu added: “The acquisition of Rio Bucovina by one of the biggest Polish companies… will be an important event for the FMCG market in Romania. As part of Wadowice Group, Rio Bucovina will further strengthen its position in the market of producers of natural mineral water and spring water in Romania. I am sure that the experience of the Polish company, as well as its ambitious goals regarding product offerings, will have a major impact on the further development of the brands owned by Rio Bucovina.”
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