Media information by Feldschlösschen Beverages Ltd. and Thurella AG
Thurella AG is to acquire the Eglisau-based bottling operations for non-alcoholic beverages from Feldschlösschen Beverages Ltd., in accordance with an Agreement in Principle which the two companies have signed. The decision will be ratified by Thurella's General Shareholders Meeting on August 12, 2003.
Thurella AG, based in Egnach (Thurgau), is in need of new bottling capacity. Feldschlösschen Beverages Ltd. wants to concentrate on its two core competencies, beer and mineral waters. According to an Agreement in Principle, Thurella will take over the bottling operations in Eglisau, with its ca. 110 employees, on January 1, 2004. Included in the purchase price of CHF 21 million are the ongoing bottling activities as well as the logistics services rendered. The new Thurella Eglisau AG is to be a wholly-owned subsidiary of Thurella AG. The ca. 500 shareholders of Thurella AG will ratify the proposal of their company's Board of Directors at an extraordinary shareholders meeting to take place on August 12, 2003. With this acquisition, Thurella AG will regroup its current bottling operations into a separate company, which will be specialized in bottling fruit juice-based beverages and sweetened drinks in Switzerland, becoming one of the most attractive providers of this service for beverage producers. In the future, Thurella will bottle its own brands "obi" and "Rittergold" in Eglisau. The soft drink brands Schweppes and Lipton will continue to be bottled in Eglisau, as previously. During the 2002 business year, 133 million bottles were filled in Eglisau. Thurella's share of production in the Swiss fruit juice and sweetened drinks market will increase substantially. Within the next two years, the company's bottling facility in Bischoffszell will gradually be closed down. Over the 24-month period following the definitive takeover by Thurella Eglisau AG, it is foreseen that about 35 jobs will be lost in Bischofszell. Although the company will take full advantage of natural fluctuation, internal transfers and early retirements, lay-offs cannot be ruled out. Thanks to the acquisition, the 110 jobs in Eglisau are secure. The Head Office in Egnach is not affected by this event. In addition to its own beer and mineral water brands, Feldschlösschen Beverages Ltd. will also offer a broad range of soft drinks to the trade in the future. Sales and marketing activities for Schweppes and Lipton Ice Tea will continue to be undertaken by Feldschlösschen Beverages Ltd. The company known as Mineralquelle Eglisau («Eglisau Mineral Water Springs») was founded in 1924, and has been a subsidiary of Feldschlösschen Beverages Ltd. since 1984. Mineral water is no longer bottled in Eglisau.