Nestlé Acquires Vending Machine Business in Japan

Vevey, March 1, 2000

Nestlé Japan Ltd. and UCC Ueshima Coffee Co. Ltd. announced that they have reached an agreement in principle on a business of vending machines.

Under the agreement, Nestlé Japan will acquire UCC Ueshima Coffee’s business of vending machines, comprising more than 100 000 units with sales of about CHF 643 million. Nestlé will use this network as a sales channel for ready-to-drink Nescafé and Nestea products. These machines will also carry UCC Ueshima Coffee products.

This agreement allows Nestlé Japan to expand significantly its vending network for ready-to-drink coffee and tea products. In Japan, this sector has enjoyed tremendous success and shown rapid growth. Other Nestlé products will be gradually added to the current line of products available. Moreover, Nestlé Japan will continue to benefit from the agreement signed with the Otsuka Group in 1990 and another with Pokka Corporation in 1999. Both of these partnerships already give Nestlé access to a broad network of vending machines for its ready-to-drink Nescafé, Nestea and Milo products.