Newsletter

14 October 2003

Danone Springs of Eden acquires Fresh & Cool Gmbh and becomes the "Co-Leader" in the German HOD (Home & Office Delivery) market

Danone Springs of Eden, the Joint Venture between Group Danone and Eden Springs, has acquired the full share capital of Fresh & Cool Gmbh, the number 2 HOD (Home & Office Delivery) company in Germany.

Based near Düsseldorf, Fresh & Cool serves over 13'000 clients out of 5 distribution facilities located in Munich, Stuttgart, Frankfurt, Düsseldorf and Hamburg. Additionally Fresh & Cool operates a bottling facility near Düsseldorf. The company employs 125 people and has been the fastest growing HOD (Home & Office Delivery) company in the German market, enjoying 28 % growth this year.

Danone Springs of Eden operations in Germany include Pur Aqua, Watercooler 24 and Vivaqa, all acquired in the last 12 months. With this acquisition Danone Springs of Eden becomes the market co-leader in Germany and will consolidate its activities under one operation working under the Eden brand, having a nation wide distribution and its HQ in Düsseldorf.

Danone Springs of Eden, based in Lausanne (Préverenges), is the European No 2 HOD player active in 18 European countries.