Clifford Chance advises Československá obchodní banka and Česká spořitelna on financing Kofola's strategic acquisition in the brewing industry

Clifford Chance advises Československá obchodní banka and Česká spořitelna on financing Kofola's strategic acquisition in the brewing industry

The Prague office of Clifford Chance played a key role in advising Československá obchodní banka and Česká spořitelna on the financing of acquisition of Pivovary CZ Group, which includes renowned beer brands such as Holba, Zubr, and Litovel, by Kofola Group acquiring the majority stake, together with the investment group RSJ and the agricultural group Úsovsko.

The transaction also includes the purchase of FONTÁNA PCZG, whose main focus is the wholesale of beer and soft drinks. With this transaction, Kofola Group aims to expand its portfolio with traditional Czech beer brands and strengthen its position in the Czech beverage market. The contracting parties agreed not to disclose the price of the transaction.

Miloš Felgr, partner and head of the Banking & Finance practice at Clifford Chance, added, "Kofola´s success story has been quite inspirational. It has been a privilege to work for financing banks on a deal that not only marks a strategic move for Kofola into the brewing industry but also ensures the continued success of cherished Czech beer brands."

Pivovary CZ Group is the fifth-largest brewing group in the Czech Republic, with annual production exceeding 800,000 hectoliters, of which more than a third is exported. The breweries in Hanušovice, Přerov, and Litovel employ almost 500 people.

Kofola Group is one of the leading producers and distributors of non-alcoholic beverages in Central and Eastern Europe. Besides the traditional Czechoslovak market where the Group is a leader, the Group is also present in Slovenia, Croatia, and Poland. Key own brands include carbonated beverages Kofola and Vinea, waters Radenska, Studenac, Rajec, Ondrášovka, and Korunní, syrup Jupí, beverages for children Jupík, energy drinks Semtex, and UGO fresh juices and salads.

The Banking & Finance Clifford Chance team advising on the financing was led by senior associate Hana Čekalová and supervised by partner Miloš Felgr. The team further included junior lawyers Ondřej Šteco and Sára Bartlová.