Britvic has announced plans to make Ballygowan its 'single water brand for GB and Ireland', from spring 2014. The drinks giant announced its intentions in its preliminary results for the year to 29 September, which were released yesterday.
In the report, Britvic announced a number of strategic initiatives, including the need to increase 'operational leverage through fewer manufacturing sites by redistributing capacity, reducing the cost base and improving our asset utilisation'.
It also announced it is seeking to 'fundamentally change' its Irish operating model, and has appointed a combined senior leadership team for its UK and Ireland businesses. It has also separated its licensed wholesale operation from its core business here, and closed a warehouse in Belfast earlier this month.
In its results, Britvic announced full year revenue growth of 4.4% to £1.32 billion. However, revenue at its Irish operation fell 3.5% to £136.9 million at constant currency rates.
"The underlying market conditions remained difficult in Ireland throughout 2013. In the second half of the year we saw a tangible benefit from the warm weather in July and August whilst the market in September was much more subdued," Britvic said in its report. "Over the year, we grew take-home market value share with a minimal loss of volume share, reflecting our focus on revenue management. The decline in the licensed wholesale business was the driver of the 3.5% revenue decline and more than offset the revenue growth in the core branded business."
© 2013 - Checkout Magazine by Stephen Wynne-Jones
