Scottish juice firm up for sale

08-Aug-2013 - Last updated on 12-Aug-2013 at 13:17 GMT

Get Juiced was in the process of expanding distribution to major supermarkets

Fruit juice and smoothies company Get Juiced has plunged into liquidation in Stirling, Scotland, as a result of a cash shortfall, putting 21 workers out of jobs.

However, chartered accountancy and business advice service Johnston Carmichael, which is handling the firm’s sale, said it offered a springboard into supplying top supermarkets and claimed it was already attracting considerable interest.

“We have had at least 10 interested parties, give or take, mainly UK-based to a large extent,” Donald McNaught, director of insolvency at Johnston Carmichael, told FoodManufacture.co.uk on August 9.

“We have even had a call from a lawyer acting on behalf of one of the world’s largest food and drink manufacturers. It’s not a large business, but it’s more about what the future was.”

100% juices and smoothies

Get Juiced supplies local businesses with a range of 100% juices and smoothies in 250ml and one litre bottles. Juices range from orange to lime and smoothies include blackberry & apple and pineapple & banana.

In addition to supplying caterers, retailers, hotels, bars and restaurants, the business had recently secured accreditation to supply major supermarkets, enabling it to significantly boost volume sales. “Any purchaser would be able to pick up where it left off,” said McNaught.

“The previous shareholder invested a lot of money in the business and there’s an opportunity for someone to take advantage of that.”

Get Juiced’s major tangible asset was its production line. “Beyond the equipment, you’re buying the brand name,” added McNaught.

‘Top of the range equipment’

In an official statement, he said: “A buyer would benefit from the company’s significant investment in top of the range equipment and product development, as well as its expanding sales distribution network.

“The company has secured partnerships with some extremely high profile corporate customers, including some of Scotland’s most exclusive hotels and national supermarket chains.”

But he told FoodManufacture.co.uk prospective buyers should act quickly or the business, which had suspended trading, would lose customers to rivals.

Interested parties should contact McNaught via Johnston Carmichael’s Glasgow office.