Soft drinks firm Britvic said it was poised to deliver full-year performance in line with market expectations as strong sales of its drinks across all its markets helped drive an 11.5% rise in first-half revenue.
The Robinsons squash maker today also named John Daly, senior independent director and chair of the Remuneration Committee, as chairman from September 1.
Daly will assume the role from Gerald Corbett, who will retire from the board in September, the company said.
Pre-exceptional earnings before interest, taxes and amortisation for the 28 weeks ended April 16 rose 6.7% to £73.6m on revenue of £756.3m, the company said in a statement.
"Britvic has delivered a strong first-half performance driven by organic revenue growth in all our markets and successful management of input cost inflation," the company's chief executive Simon Litherland said.
On its Irish business, Brivic said that the year had started very well, with growth in both its own brand portfolio and the Counterpoint wholesale business.
It noted that its biggest drivers were Ballygowan water and MiWadi squash, which the company said both benefited from the consumer trend towards "healthy hydration".
"Growth in Counterpoint has been further boosted by additional business in Dublin following the successful completion of the acquisition of East Coast," the company added.
Britvic announced the acquisition of East Coast in the first quarter of its fiscal year.
Britvic Ireland reported revenue growth of 13.3% on a constant currency basis in the second quarter, its ninth consecutive quarter of growth.
