Stobart seals soft drink deal with Britvic

Haulage firm Eddie Stobart has secured a three-year "multi-million pound" distribution contract with soft drinks group Britvic, which makes Robinsons fruit juices and bottles Pespi in the UK and Ireland.

The group will handle deliveries into Britvic's UK manufacturing sites and customer deliveries from several distribution centres across the UK.

Stobart said the latest contract builds on a 20-year relationship between the two companies.

Andrew Tinkler, Stobart's chief executive, said that Britvic would be able to meet or exceed its carbon reduction target by using his company's rail freight network. He added: "We're pleased to have this opportunity to build upon our long-term partnership with Britvic."

This is the first time Britvic has undertaken such a large transport and logistics arrangement with a single provider and is the largest distribution contract awarded by the company in the UK. Stobart's shares rose by 2.9p to 150.3p.