Scottish soft drinks giant says its sales have been boosted by growing demand among English customers for iconic brand Irn-Bru.
The Cumbernauld-based group, which also owns brands including Rubicon, said sales of its soft drinks rose by about 7% this year.
It expects to report total sales of some 拢221m for the six months to the end of July, up 5% higher on the prior year. AG Barr said sales of Irn-Bru were higher in terms of both value and volume, and said the fizzy orange beverage badged Scotland鈥檚 鈥渙ther national drink鈥, was growing in popularity in England.
The group announced in March that it was reorganising its soft drinks sales and distribution operations with the loss of 195 jobs, including the closure of sites in Moston, Greater Manchester, Wednesbury in the West Midlands, and Dagenham and the ending of its Barr Direct operations. That reorganisation has now been completed, with AG Barr saying in its trading statement that the move had had "no impact" on customers and that "symbol and Independent retailers are now fully serviced through the Wholesale Channel, supported by a larger Field Sales team."
The company hailed its new Irn Bru advert linked to the Scotland men鈥檚 football team qualifying for the Euro 2024 tournament, which it said had been 鈥渉ighly successful鈥.
Rubicon also enjoyed double-digit sales growth which was helped by increased spending on marketing campaigns.
Euan Sutherland, AG Barr鈥檚 chief executive, said the group鈥檚 four 鈥減ower brands鈥, which also include sports drink Boost and pre-mixed cocktail brand Funkin, had 鈥渃lear paths to long-term growth鈥.
The group warned Funkin sales were impacted by issues including can production, and pressures in the hospitality sector which has particularly squeezed clubs and bars.
AG Barr said it was expecting revenues to grow further. Mr Sutherland added: "We continue to invest in our supply chain which will deliver tangible benefits as we insource more of our volume, build capacity to support our growth plans, improve resilience and enhance our margins."
The group still has regional offices in Bolton and Milton Keynes, while Boost Drinks is based in Leeds and its Funkin and MOMA brands re based in London.
