TAMPA, FL, Feb. 28, 2020 /CNW/ - Cott Corporation (NYSE:COT; TSX:BCB) continues its transition into a pure-play water solutions provider with today's announcement that it has closed the previously announced sale of S&D Coffee and Tea ("S&D") to Westrock Coffee Company, LLC ("Westrock Coffee") for $405 million on a debt free and cash free basis.

S&D has provided quality beverages since 1927 and is a U.S. market leader in custom coffee roasting and the largest blender of iced teas for food service and convenience stores in the United States. S&D is also a leader in the high growth category of extracts and ingredients. 

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ron Hinson, CEO of S&D Coffee & Tea, and all of the management and team members of S&D who have grown this business over the years and wish them the best as they enter the next chapter in the company's storied history," said Tom Harrington, Cott's Chief Executive Officer. "We will use the proceeds from the sale of S&D to complete the acquisition of Primo Water Corporation as we transition to becoming a leading pure-play water solutions provider.  These transactions position us to accelerate top and bottom line growth as well as margin expansion across our business," continued Mr. Harrington.

BMO acted as financial advisor to Cott while Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP acted as legal advisor.  Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz acted as legal advisor to Westrock Coffee.

ABOUT COTT CORPORATION

Cott is a water and filtration service company with a leading volume-based national presence in the North American and European home and office delivery industry for bottled water, as well as a leading position in filtration.  Our platform reaches over 2.5 million customers across North America and Europe and is supported by strategically located sales and distribution facilities and fleets, as well as wholesalers and distributors.  This enables us to efficiently service residences, businesses, and small and large retailers.

Safe Harbor Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 conveying management's expectations as to the future based on plans, estimates and projections at the time Cott makes the statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties and Cott cautions you that a number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any such forward-looking statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements related to the completion of the Primo acquisition on the terms proposed, the anticipated timing of the Primo acquisition, the potential impact the S&D transaction and Primo acquisition will have on Cott and related matters, and the execution of our strategic priorities. The forward-looking statements are based on assumptions regarding management's current plans and estimates. Management believes these assumptions to be reasonable but there is no assurance that they will prove to be accurate.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in this press release include, among others: the satisfaction of the conditions to the Primo acquisition and other risks related to the completion of the Primo acquisition and actions related thereto; and the effect of economic, competitive, legal, governmental and technological factors on Cott's  business.

The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures, including but not limited to risk factors contained in Cott's Annual Report on Form 10-K and its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, as well as other filings with the securities commissions. Cott does not undertake to update or revise any of these statements in light of new information or future events, except as expressly required by applicable law.

Website: www.cott.com 

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SOURCE Cott Corporation

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