Investors back Barr and Britvic merger

By PETER RANSCOMBE
Published on 08/01/2013 20:33

Shareholders in Irn Bru maker AG Barr and Pepsi bottler Britvic today gave the green light for the firms to merge.

Investors at general meetings held by each company gave the go ahead for the deal, which still needs to be approved by the Office of Fair Trading.

Cumbernauld-based Barr said the merger is due to be completed on 30 January, with shares in the new company, Barr Britvic Soft Drinks, expected to start trading the following day.

Barr unveiled a reverse takeover of larger rival Britvic in September after the maker of Robinsons juices was hit by a product recall of its Fruit Shoot range.