Britvic Celebrates Innovation and Growth on 80th Birthday

Britvic is publishing a video showcase of some of its most iconic and innovative advertising campaigns from across its markets to celebrate its 80^th year as a leading soft drinks company, having first opened its doors for business in 1938.

The video showcases some of the company’s favourite characters, from the R.White’s ‘Secret Lemonade Drinker’, which stayed on air for over ten years, to the controversial 1990s ‘You’ve been Tangoed’ series. The film also shows original advertising posters from the 1940s and 50s when the company was known as ‘The British Vitamin Company’.

Britvic’s advertising progression, from posters to TV to digital engagement, mirrors the company’s 80-year history of innovation and a focus on consumer health to drive growth. Health has always been at the heart of the business, having begun life as a business bringing vitamins to the British public through affordable juices. Britvic has grown from a chemist shop in Chelmsford to an international FTSE250 business with a market capitalisation of over £2bn, with over 30 owned-brands, and selling 2.3 billion litres of drinks globally every year (equivalent to 920 Olympic swimming pools).

Britvic’s growth story and platform for future success is testament to the strength of the brands showcased in the video and the company’s leadership position on health and investment in innovation, as well as its strategy of investing in manufacturing and the supply chain, and strategic international acquisitions.

The company grew through the creation of its own branded drinks – juices (1949), Mixers (1972), J20 (1998), Fruit Shoot (2000), drench (2006) – and through the acquisition of brilliant brands such as R.White’s  (acquired in 1986), Tango (acquired in 1986), Purdey’s (1988) and Robinsons (acquired in 1995). In 1987 Britvic became the exclusive bottler and distributor for PepsiCo’s soft drink brands in GB and the Republic of Ireland – a relationship that celebrated its 30-year anniversary in 2017. Alongside GB growth, Britvic made strategic acquisitions in Ireland (C&C in 2007), France (Teisseire 2010), and Brazil (Ebba in 2015 and Bela Ischia in 2017).

Headquartered in the UK, Britvic now operates in or exports to over 50 countries and owns more than 30 brands internationally, including a number one brand in all its core markets – in GB Robinsons is the number one squash, In Ireland Miwadi is number one cordial, in France Teisseire is the number one syrup brand, and in Brazil Maguary is the number one dilute.

The common thread driving each brands’ success has been a relentless focus on innovation, relevance, health, quality and teamwork throughout the value chain – from the research and development teams, to the engineers, tasters, production specialists, marketers and sales teams.

Paul Graham, GB Managing Director at Britvic, says: “Every Britvic brand has its own unique story, often going back centuries – long before Britvic existed. As passionate custodians of these brands, our end-to-end team of talented people have driven innovation in line with consumer trends to build each brand into lasting household names that have stayed relevant across the decades and brought happiness to generations of consumers. R.White’s  is a great example.

In 1845, 21-year-old Robert White and his wife Mary started making their own lemonade in Camberwell, South London. They originally sold it by the glass from a wooden cart. Now, 170 years later, R Whites is a household brand worth more than £250 million, growing +0.5% year on year.”

Over the years, Britvic has embraced the entrepreneurial and innovative spirit of its original founders and its brand creators such as Robert and Mary White, Mr Robinson, and Mathieu Teisseire (Teisseire). In 2000, Britvic created the kids’ category through the launch of Fruit Shoot, and Britvic is also credited with creating the adult soft drinks market in 1998 with the launch of J₂O – a brand that has dominated the on-trade soft drinks market.

More recently, the company has extended the range of natural energy drink Purdey’s, and broadened the shoulders of the much loved and trusted Robinsons brand to out of home with the launch of Robinsons Squash’d (drops), the introduction of Robinsons on dispense in leisure outlets, the launch of Refresh’d – an on-the-go Robinsons drink made from 100% naturally sourced ingredients, and the launch of Robinsons Fruit Creations and Fruit Cordials.

Since 1938, Britvic has celebrated its heritage whilst putting innovation and health at the heart of its culture and business strategy. Today, the health challenge has evolved, focusing instead on obesity, and Britvic takes its role extremely seriously.

Paul Graham explains: “At Britvic we have been bringing enjoyment to millions of everyday moments for 80 years through our iconic and much-loved brands. We know this is a great privilege and it puts us in a position of trust. That’s why, since 2013, we have led the industry in taking bold steps to help consumers make healthier choices, through targeted reformulation, ‘better for you’ innovation and responsible marketing.”

 Source: Britvic 

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