ATLANTA & CORONA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) and Monster Beverage Corporation (NASDAQ: MNST) announced today the closing of the previously announced strategic partnership related to an equity investment, business transfers and expanded distribution in the global energy drink category. As a result of the transaction, The Coca-Cola Company now owns an approximate 16.7% stake in Monster.
The Coca-Cola Company transferred ownership of its worldwide energy business, including NOS, Full Throttle, Burn, Mother, BU, Gladiator, Samurai, Nalu, BPM, Play and Power Play, Ultra and Relentless, to Monster, and Monster transferred its non-energy business, including Hansen’s Natural Sodas, Peace Tea, Hubert’s Lemonade and Hansen’s Juice Products, to The Coca-Cola Company.
Since the transaction was announced, Monster and The Coca-Cola Company and its bottlers have amended their distribution arrangements in the U.S. and Canada by expanding into additional territories and entering into long-term agreements. The Coca-Cola Company also has become Monster’s preferred global distribution partner with new international distribution commitments already in place with bottlers in Germany and Norway.
In connection with the closing, The Coca-Cola Company made a net cash payment of approximately $2.15 billion to Monster.
