Pepsi's bottling operations consolidated in the Western Region

In the deal SIPCO, Pepsi's pioneer Bottler in the Kingdom and established over 50 years ago by Sheikh Salem Ahmed .S. Bugshan purchased all of SFJBI Soft Drink facilities for an undisclosed sum.

In announcing the successful conclusion of their deal both parties paid tribute to one another's achievements over several decades in establishing Pepsi Brands as the dominant market leaders throughout the Western region.

PepsiCo Beverages International (PBI) saluted SFJBI and its Chairman Sheikh Abdul Khaleq Saeed for their devoted service to Pepsi in Saudi Arabia. "Saudi Fruit Juice and Beverage Industry has been a good partner throughout the last twenty years. They leave a very positive legacy as one of the best manufacturing operations throughout the worldwide Pepsi system. We wish them every success for the future."said Ken Newell, PBI Franchise Vice President ."

Son of the original founder of SIPCO, Sheikh Ahmed Salem Bugshan, who completed the deal, viewed the acquisition as a natural expansion of the groups desire to expand its role within the soft drink industry . "SIPCO and SFJBI have successfully co-operated for more than 13 years in servicing Saudi Customers via a distribution agreement. The buyout will help us achieve our future growth objectives. We are gratified to have reached an agreement that is satisfactory for all parties. Finally I would like to welcome SFJBI employees to the SIPCO family, their experience and proven expertise in the beverage business will be a great asset to our company " concluded Sheikh Ahmed Salem Bugshan.

SFJBI'S Chairman Sheikh Abdul Khaleq Saeed expressed similar feelings of satisfaction on closure of the deal and praised all parties for their professionalism and co-operation during the negotiations. "We were both proud and pleased at our accomplishments over the last twenty years, and I would like to pay special tribute to all the employees of SFJBI who have served us so well and help make SFJBI a great success".

Bugshan will now be the single Pepsi-Cola Franchise in the Western Region for PBI and will be responsible for the continued volume and share growth of the Pepsi-Cola brands - Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, 7UP , Diet 7UP and Mirinda in the Western Region.

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