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Carlsberg completes Britvic buyout

Danish brewing giant Carlsberg has finalised its £3.3 billion (US$4.2bn) purchase of Britvic, owner of mixer brand London Essence Company.

London Essence Co
London Essence Company is one of the biggest mixer brands in the UK

The deal to buy British soft drinks maker Britvic, based in Hemel Hempstead, was first announced in July 2024. The acquisition was completed on 16 January 2025, following regulatory approval from the Competition and Markets Authority in December.

The London Essence Company was created by Britvic-­backed incubator outfit WiseHead Productions in 2016. It became the fastest-growing mixer company in Great Britain in 2022 with a retail sales value of almost £15 million (US$18m).

In the UK, London Essence is the third-biggest mixer brand after Schweppes and Fever-Tree.

The completion of the deal has established a new company that combines Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company (CMBC) and Britvic’s UK business, called Carlsberg Britvic.

CMBC brings its breweries and in-house secondary logistic operation – comprised of 15 UK depots – to the new firm, complimenting Britvic’s packaging and production capabilities.

The brewing giant said the business is now the largest multi-beverage supplier in the UK, which has become the biggest market for Carlsberg by revenue in the world.

Paul Davies, ex-CEO of CMBC, has been named CEO of the newly formed Carlsberg Britvic in the UK.

The new executive team includes Tom Smethers (chief financial officer), Munnawar Chishty (chief marketing officer) and Nigel Paine (vice-president of production), among others.

Carlsberg Britvic will also reveal its new corporate identity this week, which will be rolled out across the business as part of the integration of its operations in the UK.

“This is a historic moment for everyone across our unique combined multi-beverage business, I am immensely proud to have the opportunity to lead this new company, featuring so many iconic brands and so many dedicated and talented people,” said Davies.

Britvic’s soft drinks portfolio includes Robinsons, Tango, Fruit Shoot and J20. The company is also the main partner for PepsiCo in the UK and Ireland.

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