Coca-cola hopes to add sparkle to mineral water market

"This would be accompanied by further investments in production, distribution and merchandising. In terms of market penetration we should take over Danone [the current market leader]," said Ulrik Nehammer, managing director of Coca-Cola HBC Polska. He would not reveal the value of the investments, but since the take over of Multivita the firm has invested EUR 15 million in production and distribution of water. Analysts predict that this market, which is currently estimated at zł.2 billion should increase by additional 5-15% in 2005. "I do not think that it is possible. Coca-Cola is investing a lot, but Nestle [second position in this segment] is not standing still," said an anonymous representative of the sector. Nestle Waters Polska refused to comment on the plans of Coca-Cola. Coca-Cola is also planning to improve its standing in all other segments and its objective is to double revenues and profits every five years. (Puls Biznesu, pp. 1, 6) M.M.