Coke Enterprises to Buy Bottler: Coca-Cola Enterprises...

Coke Enterprises to Buy Bottler: Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. said it will purchase Coca-Cola Bottling Co. of Arkansas for about $250-million while selling off its interest in two other bottlers. CCE, the largest bottler of Coca-Cola, said it has agreed in principle to acquire the Arkansas bottler from Coca-Cola Co. and to sell Portsmouth Coca-Cola Bottling Co. and its majority interest in Coca-Cola Bottling Co. of Ohio. CCE said th sale of the Portsmouth and Ohio companies to Johnston Coca-Cola Bottling Group Inc. will bring about $120 million and will result in a one-time gain of about $55 million before taxes.