Japan's biggest beermaker by sales volume, Asahi Group Holdings Ltd., today took the veil of two acquisitions - one in Australia and the other in New Zealand.

It said that it is acquiring the water and juice businesses of P&N Beverages Australia Pty Ltd, the third largest soft drink company by volume in Australia, for A$188 million ($202 million) in September, through its Australian subsidiary, a deal which had been stalled over regulatory approvals.

In a separate statement the group said it plans to  acquire 100-per cent stake of Charlie's Group Ltd. (CHA), a New Zealand-based fruit juice producer, at  NZ$130 million ($107 million), through Asahi Beverages New Zealand Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Asahi.

Last August Asahi had signed a deal to acquire P&N Beverages for about Y27.2 bn, which was opposed by the regulator Australian Competition and Consumer Commission on concerns over competition in the carbonated soft drink segment, as it had already acquired Schweppes Holdings Pty Ltd in April 2009.

Though Asahi will now buy the entire stake in P&N, to meet regulatory concerns it will separate the Australian beverages makers' carbonated soft drink and cordial businesses and divest it to Tru Blu Beverages Pty Ltd, which is also owned by P&N's owners, retaining only the water and juice businesses.

Asahi hopes to close the transaction some time by September, subject to the mandatory regulatory approvals.

On its New Zealand acquisition, Asahi said it will acquire Charlie's at 44 New Zealand cents a share, which represents a 57-per cent premium to its closing price on 1 July.

''The acquisition of Charlie's will further strengthen Asahi's overseas beverages business and provide an entry into the New Zealand market. In tandem with Asahi's existing operations in Australia, through Schweppes Australia, this will help consolidate its platform for future growth in the Asia Pacific region, it said in a statement today.

The acquisition of Charlie's is conditional upon the receipt of acceptances for 90 per cent or more of the Charlie's shares and receipt of New Zealand Overseas Investment Office consent.

Charlie's board of directors have recommended that shareholders accept the offer in the absence of a better offer and as long as it falls within the independent adviser's valuation range.

Charlie's Group said its major shareholders and founders, who control 52.17 per cent of the company, have committed to accepting the offer when it is made.

Charlie's is a manufacturer and marketer of premium beverage brands, including Charlie's, Phoenix Organic and Juicy Lucy. The product portfolio includes juices, quenchers, smoothies, carbonated beverages, mineral waters, still waters and hot beverage mixers.

Asahi's long-term vision aims to increase its sales to Yen 2–2.5 trillion, increase its share of overseas sales to 20-30 per cent to join the ranks of the top global food companies by 2015.

It said in order to achieve this goal, it plans to drive growth in its existing businesses as well as expand its overseas investments.

Asahi is also said to have other acquisitions in the pipeline.