Britivic Buys NI Drinks Wholesaler

The massive international soft drinks brand, Britvic, has announced that it had bought Co Tyrone-based drinks wholesaler Quinn's from C&C-owned Tennents for an undisclosed sum.

Quinn employs 30 people in Cookstown, providing drink wholesale and distribution to 800 outlets with turnover last year of £18m.

Its portfolio of brands includes Guinness, Heineken, Magners, Pepsi and 7Up.

Andrew Richards, Managing Director of Britvic Ireland, said: "Complementing Britvic's existing wholesale business, Quinn's Northern Ireland portfolio includes several 'must stock' brands that will help position Britvic as a supplier of choice for many outlets.

"It will also enhance Britvic's competitive position, increasing its on-trade access in Northern Ireland from 140 to over 800 outlets.

"This acquisition underpins Britvic's strong commitment to drinks wholesaling on the island of Ireland and extends our reach, client mix and the range of brands that we carry. It also allows us to leverage efficiencies and to enhance our level of coverage and route to market for existing and new customers."

Britvic plc is one of Europe's leading soft drinks companies, with a portfolio of market leading brands, such as Robinsons, J2O, Fruit Shoot, Tango and drench in Great Britain, MiWadi, Club and Ballygowan in Ireland, and Teisseire, Fruite and Pressade in France. We also have exclusive bottling agreements with PepsiCo in the UK and Ireland for global brands such as Pepsi and 7Up.

Current operations comprise Britvic GB, Britvic Ireland, and Britvic France. The group is completed by Britvic International which manages the export and franchise of many of our brands across more than 50 countries.

(BMcC/GK)