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Water bottling plant and producer of soft beverages Knjaz Miloš from Aranđelovac is to change owners soon as it was previously announced from Salford Group. Though they do not want to say who they wish to take over the Company, there are reasons that point to Pepsi as a perfect buyer. And the rumour says it might be Pepsi.

‘In order for this to happen, they have to offer the highest price. The speculations are that Coca Cola might purchase Aranđelovac-based water bottling plant just to prevent Pepsi from buying it’, say the people in the know.

Danone has also shown interest in investments in Knjaz Miloš water bottling plant and producer of soft beverages.

A Dutch Company Clates Holding that operates within Salford Group became the only owner of Knjaz Miloš as the result of a bilateral agreement between the Netherlands and Serbia that  enables business without double taxation.

‘The transfer of ownership to Clates Holding, which currently owns 100% of Knjaz Miloš shares, was performed in several block transactions’, Rade Pribićević, the Director of Corporate Management  of Danube Food, former owner of Knjaz, explains.

This step was not in direct connection with the announced sale of Knjaz, but it will surely have positive effect on it. At this point, however, it is not possible to say when Knjaz Miloš would be sold, though the sale is planned during this year. at the moment several companies are interested.

The preparations for tender are in progress, but Salford does not wish to speculate on potential buyers.

Moreover, Salford intends to another two companies that operate within the Group: Bambi-Banat and Imlek. As it is stated in the Stock Exchange Prospectus, Knjaz Miloš owns production plants that cover 18,270 square meters and offices that cover 11,066 square meters. The property is mortgaged.