O-I to acquire VDL

Owens-Illinois, claimed to be the world's largest glass container manufacturer, has announced the acquisition of VDL Company, a single-furnace glass container plant in Vergèze France, effective 1 August 2011.

The acquisition is the result of a new strategic relationship with Nestlé Waters' bottled water company. The Vergèze plant is located near the Nestlé Waters Perrier bottling facility and has a longstanding supply relationship with Nestlé Waters. Under the terms of the acquisition agreement, O-I will become the leading supplier of glass bottles for the Perrier brand, as well as Nestlé Waters' other water brands worldwide.

O-I has long supplied Nestlé Waters' S. Pellegrino line, and the brand's CEO is currently featured in O-I's Glass Is Life global advertising campaign.

"As a result of this deeper strategic relationship with Nestlé Waters, O-I has the opportunity to support some of the preeminent brands in the water segment and reinforce glass' position in this important category," said Jose Lorente, president of O-I Europe.