Otsuka Pharmaceutical, Otsuka Wellness Vending and Asahi Soft Drinks Form Business Partnership for Vending Machine Sales

PRESS RELEASE

Tokyo, Japan: Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Tokyo, Japan; President & Representative Director: Tatsuo Higuchi), Otsuka Wellness Vending Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Tokyo, Japan; President & Representative Director: Akiyoshi Horibe), and Asahi Soft Drinks Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Tokyo, Japan; President & CEO: Kazuo Motoyama) have announced a business partnership to carry each other’s leading products in their reciprocal vending machines.

Beginning in March 2015, Otsuka Pharmaceutical’s leading health beverage POCARI SWEAT will be available through vending machines owned by Asahi Soft Drinks, while Asahi’s popular WONDA brand of canned coffee will be sold through vending machines managed by Otsuka Wellness Vending.

Accounting for approximately 30% of the market for soft drinks, vending machines are a vital sales channel, second only to mass retailers. Enhancing the appeal of actual vending machines and increasing the efficiency of operations are the keys to boosting profitability within the competitive vending machine industry. The business partnership between Otsuka Pharmaceutical, Otsuka Wellness Vending, and Asahi Soft Drinks adds reciprocal sales of leading POCARI SWEAT and WONDA products to vending machine lineups, making it easier for customers to purchase the products and aiming to boost revenues by enhancing the value of existing vending machines and expanding sales opportunities, simultaneously reinforcing brand power through expanded distribution.

POCARI SWEAT

Launched in 1980, POCARI SWEAT is a health drink that replenishes fluids and electrolytes (ions) lost through perspiration. Based on accumulated expertise in intravenous solutions, POCARI SWEAT was initially developed as a “sweat replacement drink”. A global brand, POCARI SWEAT is currently sold in 18 countries and regions around the world, promoted by activities appropriate for local customs and cultures to educate consumers about the importance of replenishing fluids and electrolytes.

WONDA

Launched in 1997, WONDA has become an established brand in the competitive canned coffee market. The brand includes WONDA Morning Shot, the premium-type WONDA KINNOBITOU(Low‐Sugar) and the WONDA Gold BLACK(No-Sugar). In 2014, the sales of WONDA was 3,949 million-case. And the year before that, the WONDA brand was distributed in Malaysia through Asahi Group member company Permanis Sdn., and has been steadily generating a loyal following.