Saudi Industrial Projects Company (Sipco), one of Pepsi Cola's two franchise bottlers in the Western Region, has purchased all the facilities of the other bottler, Saudi Fruit Juice and Beverage Industry (SFJBI), the two companies announced.

The purchase price was not disclosed. Sipco is a pioneer bottler in the Kingdom and was established over 50 years ago by Sheikh Salem Ahmed .S. Bugshan.

Both parties paid tribute to each other's achievements over several decades of making Pepsi brands the dominant market leaders throughout the Western region.

PepsiCo Beverages International (PBI) hailed SFJBI and its chairman Sheikh Abdul Khaleq Saeed for their devoted service to Pepsi in Saudi Arabia. "Saudi Fruit Juice and Beverage Industry has been a good partner throughout the last 20 years. They leave a very positive legacy as one of the best manufacturing operations throughout the worldwide Pepsi system. We wish them every success for the future," said Ken Newell, PBI Franchise vice president "

Son of the original founder of Sipco, Shaikh Ahmed Salem Bugshan, viewed the acquisition as a natural expansion of the group's desire to expand its role within the soft drink industry.

"Sipco and SFJBI have successfully co-operated for more than 13 years in servicing Saudi customers," he said.