Britvic receives approval to sell bottling facilities

British soft drinks producer Britvic has received approval from French Competition Authority for the divesture of juice assets in France to Refresco.

Under the deal, Refresco will be acquiring three juice manufacturing sites, as well as associated private label juice business and the Fruité brand.

Britvic noted that it will continue to own Pressade and Fruit Shoot beverage brands, produced by Refresco under a long-term partnership arrangement.

The British company noted that the deal would not impact Teisseire and Moulin De Valdonne brands and the private label syrups business, manufactured at the remaining site in Crolles.

With the clearance from the French competition watchdog, Britvic expects to close the transaction in autumn.

Last November, Dutch juice and soft drink bottler Refresco held negotiations to acquire three juice bottling facilities in France from Britvic.

The three facilities are in La-Roche-sur-Foron, Château-Thébaud, and Nissan-lez-Enserune.

Refresco Group CEO Hans Roelofs said: “France is an important market for Refresco and with this acquisition, we create 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.”

The company added that the deal is part of its strategy to increase the contract manufacturing business.

Britvic France managing director Olivier Mercier 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.”