Regions

Suntory Beverage & Food Ltd. planned to spend more on buyouts than any of its soft-drinks competitors in Japan over the past ten years. Suntory considered Del Monte Pacific Ltd. as its new takeover target.

Suntory was the producer of Boss coffee and Orangina soda. It said that it would spend up to US$5 billion on deals to aid in doubling its sales by 2020. Suntory's requirement for fast-developing, emerging market property was met by Del Monte Pacific. According to Malayan Banking Bhd., a deal with the US$893 million worth company that sold fruit juices in India and Philippines was likely to be the next goal.

Del Monte Pacific "has a very attractive brand, so it does make sense," Maybank's Singapore-headquartered analyst, James Koh, stated through a phone interview. "These Japanese food and beverage companies have slow growth at home and very strong product expertise built up over many years."

The Taguig City, Philippines-based company offered distribution networks all over the country, Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp. stated. Suntory's investment in Del Monte Pacific would cut its dependence on its home market.