On Aug. 17, 2010, Mississauga, Ont.-based Cott Corp. acquired privately held Dunkirk, N.Y.-based Cliffstar Corp., the leading North American private label manufacturer of shelf stable juices for US$569 million. The purchase price comprised US$500 million cash; up to an additional US$55 million based on the achievement of certain performance measures in 2011 and the completion of expansion projects in 2010; and US$14 million of deferred consideration to be paid over three years. The US$500 million was financed with US$375 million in new senior unsecured notes, as well as the issuance of common equity and a drawdown of the revolving credit facility. The ratings on Cott reflect what Standard&Poor's Ratings Services considers the company's vulnerable business risk profile stemming
