The demand for “healthy” or “better for you” food and beverages continues as consumers become more health conscious. Following this trend, Dr. Pepper Snapple (DPS) has agreed to acquire Bai brands, the maker of antioxidant and other “all natural” drinks for $1.7 billion. Founded in 2009, Bai has about $300 million in revenue and 373 employees. The acquisition is one of the biggest for DPS and the first major one since it spun off Cadbury Schweppes in 2008.
Demand for Soda Shrinking
Soda companies are faced with shrinking demand for their traditional products and increased competition from new healthy products both from large food manufacturers and startup brands.
Many recognize the need to expand their portfolios in order to continue to grow. Recently Coca-Cola acquired Unilever’s Soy drink business and PepsiCo agreed to acquire KeVita, a probiotic drink maker. Both companies also own a number of “healthy” brands. Coca-Cola owns Dasani water, Honest Tea, PowerAde and Vitamin Water and Pepsi owns Gatorade, Tropicana, Lipton Teas, and Aquafina.
While the multiple for this transaction is on the higher end, DPS is acquiring the potential growth opportunities Bai presents.
Thinking strategically, this acquisition will add breadth to DPS’s product line. DPS hopes to grow the business by filling its existing pipeline and distribution expertise with Bai’s products. By going healthy, DPS may be able to grow despite the declining popularity of soda.
From Strategic Alliance to Acquisition
Sometimes business leaders and owners shy away from acquisition because they are overwhelmed by buying an entire company. It is important to remember that there are many options and tools available to you when it comes to external growth, from strategic alliance to joint ventures to minority interest to a majority stake to 100% acquisition. All of these options should be considered to determine which path is right for your business.
The DPS – Bai transaction did not begin at 100% acquisition. Instead, DPS began with a strategic partnership, then later acquired a minority stake for $15 million in 2014. With minority interest DPS could gain some of the upsides of Bai’s growth, while also mitigating the risks associated with a new relatively and unknown product. Once Bai continued to grow and proved its profitability, DPS decided to acquire the entire business.
Minority investment is often used as a foothold to get your toes wet with an option to acquire the entire company later, depending on what makes the most sense for your business.
