Carlsberg to buy Britvic for US$4.2 billion and take over Marston's joint venture

CARLSBERG has agreed to buy British soft drinks maker Britvic for US$4.23 billion and buy out UK pub group Marston’s from its joint venture with the Danish brewer.

Carlsberg’s announcement on Monday (Jul 8) said that it plans to create an integrated beer and soft drinks company in Britain.

The new Carlsberg Britvic business will also strengthen the Danish group’s partnership with PepsiCo, which has bottling deals with both Carlsberg and Britvic.

Carlsberg raised its bid for Britvic to 1,315 pence per share – comprising cash and a special dividend of 25 pence a share – after the British company rejected 1,250 pence per share last month.

Marston’s said on Monday that it would sell its 40 per cent stake in its brewing joint venture Carlsberg Marston’s Limited for £206 million (S$355.9 million) in cash.

Carlsberg is looking to expand its focus on categories including cider, hard lemonade, hard seltzers and ready-to-drink cocktails to capitalise on growing appetite for beverages outside the traditional beer category. REUTERS