The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved Kandhari Global Beverages’ acquisition of Coca-Cola’s bottling operations in north Gujarat and Diu for Rs 20 Bn.

Kandhari, an authorised bottler for The Coca-Cola Company and Schweppes Holdings, currently operates in Rajasthan. This acquisition will allow it to prepare, package, and distribute Coca-Cola’s non-alcoholic beverage products in a new territory, marking a significant expansion of its footprint in India.

This move is part of Coca-Cola’s global shift to an asset-light model by franchising bottling operations to regional partners. The Kandhari family, involved in the beverage industry since 1967 and associated with Coca-Cola since 1993, has committed to substantial investments in digitalisation, sustainability, and supply chain infrastructure over the next decade.

Following this transaction, Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt Ltd (HCCBPL) will continue operating 15 plants across India. Kandhari Global already operates in Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Chandigarh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh.

India remains Coca-Cola’s fifth-largest market, and this move underscores its commitment to empowering regional partners while maintaining operational efficiency.

Source: The Week- Business Wire