New players enter the beverage market

New players are entering the juice and soft drinks market by acquiring existing companies, although, for the moment, none is challenging the dominance of Coca-Cola HBC.

The latest move was the acquisition of Epsa, a 100-year-old juice and soft drinks company based in the city of Volos, central Greece, by the SMERC fund, headed by former banker Nikos Karamouzis. SMERC acquired a 66.2% stake through a €3.19 million share capital increase.

SMERC plans to upgrade Epsa's facilities and develop new distribution networks. The fact that Epsa is a high-recognition brand allows the new owners to believe in Epsa's growth potential.

SMERC has already invested in the foods sector, in a legumes producer and a fresh fruit exporter.

Northwest of Volos, in the city of Larissa, two known businessmen, Spyros Theodoropoulos, the long-time CEO of food company Chipita, and...