DSS Group: Debt fueling recent merger and acquisition deals

On Nov. 6, Atlanta-base bottled water giant DSS Group, owner of Crystal Springs and other big water and coffee brands, announced it would be acquired for $1.25 billion by Canada-based beverage giant Cott Corp. To pay for the deal, Cott (NYSE: COT) did what two other companies have done recently to finance M&A deals involving Georgia companies: it got out its credit card. Cott said it intends to finance the transaction by borrowing approximately $175 million from its asset based lending facility,…