The Coca-Cola Company announced on Friday that it will acquire the Vitaminwater maker Glaceau for 4.1 billion U.S. dollars cash.

The transaction, which is expected to close in this summer, will provide the Atlanta-based Coca-Cola Company with a strong platform to grow its active lifestyle beverages, Coca-Cola said in a statement.

"We welcome Vitaminwater, the icon of active lifestyles, to Coca-Cola, the ultimate and enduring icon of refreshment," said Neville Isdell, Coca-Cola chairman and chief executive officer.

"We will manage this opportunity in a way that delivers attractive returns for our shareowners and also appropriately benefits our system," he added.

Formed in 1996, Glaceau is the maker of Vitaminwater, Fruitwater, Smartwater and Vitaminenergy. The company sold 77 million 192-ounce cases last year. By contrast, Coca-Cola sold 5.5 billion cases in the United States alone.

"It's a perfect match connecting the hottest active lifestyle brand with the full resources of the world's best beverage company," said J. Darius Bikoff, Glaceau founder and chief executive officer.

"To best understand today's announcement, you really need to go out, buy a bottle of Vitaminwater and try it for yourself to see how well it works," Bikoff said.

Source: Xinhua