UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 8-K

 


 

Current Report

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): June 12, 2015

 


 

Monster Beverage Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

 


 

0-18761

 

39-1679918

(Commission File Number)

 

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

1 Monster Way
Corona, California 92879

(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)

 

(951) 739-6200

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

N/A

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 


 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

o            Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o            Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o            Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o            Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 



 

Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.

 

On June 12, 2015, the Company issued a press release announcing the closing of the previously announced long-term strategic partnership in the global energy drink category with The Coca-Cola Company and the related holding company reorganization. The press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is hereby incorporated by reference.

 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

99.1

 

Press Release

 

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Signature

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

Monster Beverage Corporation

 

 

 

 

Date: June 12, 2015

By:

/s/ Hilton H. Schlosberg

 

 

Hilton H. Schlosberg
Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Chief Financial Officer

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

99.1

 

Press Release

 

4


Exhibit 99.1

 

 

 

CONTACTS:

 

INVESTORS AND ANALYSTS:

 

Tim Leveridge

The Coca-Cola Company

T: +1 404.676.7563

 

 

Judy Sfetcu

PondelWilkinson Inc.

T: +1 310.279.5980

 

 

MEDIA:

 

Petro Kacur

The Coca-Cola Company

T: +1 404.676.2683

tcccpressinquiries@coca-cola.com

 

Evan Pondel

PondelWilkinson Inc.

T: +1 310.279.5980

 

 

THE COCA-COLA COMPANY AND MONSTER BEVERAGE

CORPORATION CLOSE ON PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED

STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

 

ATLANTA and CORONA, CA., June 12, 2015 — The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) and Monster Beverage Corporation (NASDAQ: MNST) announced today the closing of the previously announced strategic partnership related to an equity investment, business transfers and expanded distribution in the global energy drink category.  As a result of the transaction, The Coca-Cola Company now owns an approximate 16.7% stake in Monster.

 

The Coca-Cola Company transferred ownership of its worldwide energy business, including NOS, Full Throttle, Burn, Mother, BU, Gladiator, Samurai, Nalu, BPM, Play and Power Play, Ultra and Relentless, to Monster, and Monster transferred its non-energy business, including Hansen’s Natural Sodas, Peace Tea, Hubert’s Lemonade and Hansen’s Juice Products, to The Coca-Cola Company.

 

Since the transaction was announced, Monster and The Coca-Cola Company and its bottlers have amended their distribution arrangements in the U.S. and Canada by expanding into additional territories and entering into long-term agreements.  The Coca-Cola Company also has become Monster’s preferred global distribution partner with new international distribution commitments already in place with bottlers in Germany and Norway.

 

In connection with the closing, The Coca-Cola Company made a net cash payment of approximately $2.15 billion to Monster.

 

About The Coca-Cola Company

 

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is the world’s largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands.  Led by Coca-Cola, one of the world’s most valuable and recognizable brands, our Company’s portfolio features 20 billion-dollar brands including, Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, POWERADE, Minute Maid, Simply, Georgia, Dasani, FUZE TEA and Del Valle.  Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, ready-to-drink coffees, and juices and juice drinks.  Through the world’s largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy our beverages at a rate of 1.9 billion servings a day.  With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that reduce our environmental footprint, support active, healthy living, create a safe, inclusive work environment for our associates, and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate.  Together with our bottling partners, we rank among the world’s top 10 private employers with more than 700,000 system associates.  For more information, visit
Coca-Cola Journey at www.coca-colacompany.com, follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/CocaColaCo, visit our blog, Coca-Cola Unbottled, at www.coca-colablog.com or find us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/the-coca-cola-company.

 



 

About Monster Beverage Corporation

 

Based in Corona, California, Monster Beverage Corporation is a holding company and conducts no operating business except through its consolidated subsidiaries.  The Company’s subsidiaries market and distribute energy drinks including Monster Energy® energy drinks, Monster Energy Extra Strength Nitrous Technology® energy drinks, Java Monster® non-carbonated coffee + energy drinks, M3® Monster Energy® Super Concentrate energy drinks, Monster Rehab® non-carbonated energy drinks with electrolytes, Muscle Monster® Energy Shakes, Übermonster® energy drinks, NOS, Full Throttle, Burn, Mother, BU, Gladiator, Samurai, Nalu, BPM, Power Play™, Ultra and Relentless. For more information, visit www.monsterbevcorp.com.

 

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