Britvic expanding Fruit Shoot brand in America just a year after recall caused series of profit warnings

By City & Finance Reporter

Updated: 20:02 EDT, 26 November 2013

Britvic is expanding its Fruit Shoot brand in America just a year after a recall caused a series of profit warnings.

The firm, which also makes Tango and Robinsons squash, saw pre-tax profit rise to £82.6m for the 52 weeks to September 29, up from £77.5m on sales of £1.3bn.

Drinking to success: Brtivic saw pre-tax profit rise to £82.6m for the 52 weeks to September 29, up from £77.5m on sales of £1.3bn

It said it has signed a 15-year deal with Pepsi to expand Fruit Shoot into 41 states, up from 32 now.

Chief executive Simon Litherland said: ‘It sets Fruit Shoot up for long-term growth, and clearly signals the potential that they and we see for the brand in the States.’

The firm rejected an improved proposal from Irn-Bru maker AG Barr for an all-share merger in July and has embarked on a cost-cutting drive.

It has expanded in Europe with the launch of Fruit Shoot in Spain, is planning to move into India in mid-2014 and is also in early talks with potential partners about new markets.