Irn-Bru maker Barr buys sports drink firm

Irn-Bru and Tizer maker AG Barr moved into the sports drink sector today after unveiling a deal to acquire the owner of the Taut range.

Cumbernauld-based AG Barr will pay a nominal £1(€1.3) for the business, which made losses of £1.3m (€1.7m) in 2006 and recorded sales of £1m (€1.3m) last year. Taut’s drinks – launched in 2003 – contain no artificial sweeteners or preservatives.

Meanwhile, Barr said its results for the year to January 26 were likely to be in line with expectations after a stronger end to the year for the soft drinks market. Research firm Nielsen reported total soft drinks value increased 4% in the 13 weeks to December 29, compared with a 3% decline seen in the summer.

Barr chief executive Roger White said: “Our business performance has continued to improve despite the difficulties of the poor summer weather.”

He added: “We are excited about the Taut acquisition and the opportunities it presents in the fast growing sports drinks category. We anticipate a rapid integration of the Taut business and consequential significant improvement in the operating performance of this business.”

The company employs 900 people with numerous manufacturing plants in Scotland. Other drinks include D’N’B, and Orangina, which is produced under licence from brand owner Cadbury Schweppes.