Press Release
Rotterdam, the Netherlands, November 12, 2019 – Refresco announces the potential acquisition of Britvic’s three juice manufacturing facilities in France by Refresco. The prospective transaction, subject to employee consultation and competition clearance, includes Britvic’s three bottling facilities in La-Roche-sur-Foron, Château-Thébaud and Nissan-lez-Enserune, related retailer brands business, the Fruité brand and a long-term contract manufacturing agreement with Britvic for manufacturing their brands Pressade and Fruit Shoot. Britvic is a leading soft drinks company with distribution and operations in more than 50 countries globally.
The proposed transaction fits our strategy for growth in contract manufacturing, in this case in France, a market where we wish to continue to grow.
Hans Roelofs, CEO Refresco Group: “France is an important market for Refresco and with this acquisition, we create a better national coverage and consequently further potential to serve customers’ demands. We currently provide Britvic with contract manufacturing services in Benelux and in the UK. This acquisition in France further strengthens our relationship.”
Olivier Mercier, Britvic's Managing Director in France said: “This proposed transaction with Refresco allows Britvic to continue our leadership in our core syrups business while ensuring the optimal development of our flagship brands for children's drinks and juices, Fruit Shoot and Pressade.”
The proposed acquisition is subject to approval of the French competition authority and customary closing conditions. It is anticipated that the acquisition will not be completed until next year.
For further information, please contact
Refresco Corporate Communications
+31 (0)10 4405114 or +31 (0) 61271 6869, nicole.mcdonald@refresco.com
About Refresco
Refresco is the world's largest independent bottler of beverages for retailers and A-brands with production in Europe and North America. The company has full year volumes and revenue of circa 11 billion liters and circa €3.7 billion, respectively. Refresco offers an extensive range of product and packaging combinations from 100% fruit juices to carbonated soft drinks and mineral waters in carton, PET, Aseptic PET, cans and glass. Focused on innovation, Refresco continuously searches for new and alternative ways to improve the quality of its products and packaging combinations in line with consumer and customer demand, environmental responsibilities and market demand. Refresco is headquartered in Rotterdam, the Netherlands and has more than 9,500 employees. www.refresco.com
About Britvic
Britvic is one of the leading branded soft drinks businesses in Europe. The company combines its own leading brand portfolio including Robinsons, Tango, J2O, Fruit Shoot, Teisseire and MiWadi with PepsiCo brands such as Pepsi, 7UP and Lipton Ice Tea which Britvic produces and sells in GB and Ireland under exclusive PepsiCo agreements.
Britvic is the largest supplier of branded still soft drinks in Great Britain (“GB”) and the number two supplier of branded carbonated soft drinks in GB. Britvic is an industry leader in the island of Ireland with brands such as MiWadi and Ballygowan, in France with brands such as Teisseire and Pressade and in Brazil with Maguary and Dafruta. Britvic is growing its reach into other territories through franchising, export and licensing. Britvic's management team has successfully developed the business through a clear strategy of organic growth and international expansion based on creating and building scale brands. Britvic is listed on the London Stock Exchange under the code BVIC and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 index.