Britvic profits up for year

Soft drinks maker Britvic Ireland announced its preliminary results for the year to end September posting annual revenues of £200.7m (€237.6m), up 6.2% on 2007.

Britvic’s group revenues were £926.5m (€1.09bn), up 29.3% compared with the same period last year. However the company admitted that the current economic downturn had hit both the take-home and pub markets in Ireland.

The UK-headquartered company bought its Irish soft drinks businesses, including Ballygowan and Club, from C&C last year. It says that 7UP retains its position as the number two soft drinks brand in the Irish market, while core brands such as Club, Miwadi and Ballygowan have been complimented this year by the full integration into the portfolio of Robinsons squash, Fruit Shoot and J2O.

Britvic Ireland's EBITA (Earnings before interest, tax and amortisation) of €21m in 2008 is "a significant increase over the €19m proforma number to February 2007", the company said in its statement..

"Britvic Ireland delivers a robust performance and holds or gains share in key categories despite the tough trading environment," the statement added.