Refresco, the leading independent beverage solutions provider for preeminent global and local beverage brands in North America, Europe and Australia, and SunOpta Inc., a North American supply chain solutions provider, have announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Refresco has agreed to acquire SunOpta for US$6.50 per share in cash.
The transaction, which has been unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both companies, is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including receipt of court and regulatory approvals and subject to SunOpta shareholder approval. Upon completion of the transaction, SunOpta will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Refresco and the shares of SunOpta will no longer be publicly traded.
Bennett Jones is acting as Canadian counsel to Refresco. KKR, a leading global investment firm, owns a majority interest in Refresco.
The Bennett Jones team is led by John Mercury (Corporate, M&A) and includes Jon Truswell, John Lawless, Rebecca Taylor, Flutra Kacuri and Cole Shrimpton (M&A), Darcy Moch KC and Marshall Haughey (Tax), Adam Kalbfleisch and Mercy Liu (Competition), Allyson Marta (Pensions and Benefits), Katelyn Weller (Employment), Julia Schatz and Samantha Chenatte (Regulatory and Food Safety), Sarah Gilbert (Environmental), Matthew Flynn and Suzie Suliman (Intellectual Property), Natalia Iamundo (Real Estate), Jessica Horwitz and Andrei Mesesan (International Trade).