Ireland's leading mineral water brand Ballygowan has been taken over by British Group Britvic as part of a €250m deal. The Irish company C&C has sold its soft drinks division to Britvic.
Ballygowan is the largest name in the mineral water sector in Ireland with a 50% share. It bottles its water in Newcastle West, Co Limerick.
Ballygowan is part of a stable of significant brands which have been sold this morning by Irish group C&C to British group Britvic. The other well known names are Club Orange, Club Energise and MiWadi.
The British company has also bought the distribution operation of Pepsi Cola and 7up from the Irish firm.
C&C sold its crisp brand Tayto in 2006. The Irish company has been highly successful internationally with its fast growing cider brands Bulmers and Magners, which are not part of the deal.
Chief executive Maurice Pratt said that C&C would have a 'sharper focus' after the sale, and would capitalise on the growth potential from its cider and spirits brands.
C&C shares closed up 42 cent at €12.40 in Dublin this evening.
