Bottlegreen stake sold to SHS

Premium adult soft drinks business Bottlegreen has been sold to Northern Irish-based food group SHS, which already owns the Shloer, WKD and Merrydown brands.

Private equity player Piper has sold its majority stake, and said it had achieved a 500% multiple on its four-year investment, after it put £5m into the brand in 2007.

Piper said consumer awareness of the brand had risen from 5% to 15% in the UK from 2007-2010, as a result of a major rebranding programme and direct communications with customers. The result was a 11% margin improvement over the investment period.

Andrew Hodgson, KPMG Corporate Finance partner, said: “Bottlegreen is the leading premium adult soft drink brand in the UK and its management has grown the business to a point where there is real traction with not only the major supermarkets but also the on-trade.

"This business has huge on-trade and export potential and SHS is the ideal partner to support Bottlegreen with its continued growth.”