Ben Shaws division sold to Vimto maker Nichols
The soft drinks firm behind the Vimto brand has bought the dispense business of Huddersfield-based soft drinks firm Ben Shaws for an undisclosed sum.
The addition of the business, which supplies pub and restaurants with draught soft drinks, consolidates St Helens-based Nichols' position as the third-biggest player in the market.
Nichols, which also makes Panda and Sunkist drinks, saw an "exceptionally strong" 2009 with revenues "considerably up" on the previous year. The company expects profits to be well ahead of City hopes.
Nichols said the group had continued the "positive momentum" from a 28 per cent rise in sales during the first half of the year, beating both internal and City forecasts.