AG Barr sales lifted by rising temperatures

Sizzling weather has sent sales soaring at AG Barr, giving the Irn-Bru maker a seasonal lift as it regroups to go it alone.

The Irn-Bru saw maker a seasonal lift. Picture: PA

The soft drinks group, which saw a potential merger with Britvic dissolve earlier this month, said revenues surged 9.8 per cent in the second quarter as high temperatures stoked thirst for Tizer, Orangina and its other brands. Sales of about £127 million are now expected for the first half of the year.

The company has also kicked off production at its new Milton Keynes facility ahead of schedule, with the first saleable can rolling off the lines.

Nicola Mallard, an

analyst with Investec, expects Barr to build increasing sales upon that £41m investment.

“The group is proceeding with its strategy independently and, with Milton Keynes now operational, it has more flexible capacity to capitalise on growth opportunities,” she said.

Britvic also reported higher sales yesterday, with quarterly revenues up 4 per cent at £316.3m, though UK volumes slipped slightly.