Cott Corporation Names Thompson To Head UK And European Operations.

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 3, 1999--Cott Corporation(NASDAQ:COTTF) (TSE:BCB.) (ME:BCB.) Cott Corporation today announced the appointment of Neil Thompson as Managing Director for the company's business in the United Kingdom and continental Europe. At the same time, Thompson was named an executive vice president of the company that is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.

Cott is the world's leading provider of premium retailer brand beverages and the fourth largest bottler of carbonated soft drinks. With core operations in the United States and Canada as well as Britain, the company ranks as a billion-dollar (US) force in the large and important specialty segment of business. Grocery chains and mass merchandisers here and in North America are Cott's principal customers.

"We are thrilled to match Neil Thompson's world-class credentials to our company's own high expectations," said Frank E. Weise, Cott president and chief executive officer. "Announcing Neil's new leadership role shows our commitment to growing the business in the United Kingdom. His record of turnaround successes in both national brands and retailer brands will be invaluable to Cott employees and our customers."

Cott's 150-million (pounds) UK business includes a range of colas, flavored drinks and premium waters. Operations are integrated and located in Yorkshire and the East Midlands. The company's acquisition in 1997 of Hero Drinks was a major step in building its business in the UK.

Thompson arrives from his most recent assignment as the Paris-based Managing Director for Spillers Pet Foods, the large and diverse maker of packaged goods, where he had responsibility for its European and South American businesses. Prior to that, he has held key positions with such prominent companies as Reckitt & Colman, Kraft Jacobs Suchard and Campbell Soup. As Cott's new UK Managing Director he succeeds Simon Lester who has decided to pursue other interests.

"Neil's acumen and winning attitude are welcome assets particularly at this time," Weise said. "As we complete the integration of plants, distribution centers and marketing teams, we are fortunate to add his proven skills. He joins David Bluestein and Mark Benadiba who head our core units in the USA and Canada respectively as leaders of the New Cott. Their shared mission lies in powering up our assets to sweat for our customers and our shareowners."