A.G. Barr, the owner of brands such as IRN-BRU and Rubicon, has agreed a £12.3m deal to acquire Rio Tropical, the owner of the Rio soft drinks range.
The business is being bought from Hall & Woodhouse, the independent brewer and pub company. Rio has been marketed, sold and distributed on an exclusive licence basis by A.G. Barr’s recently acquired Boost Drinks division since 2021.
A.G. Barr noted following the Boost acquisition at the end of last year, it had moved to secure the long-term position of the Rio brand within its wider portfolio as part of its previously announced margin rebuild programme.
Roger White, CEO of A.G. Barr, commented: “As brand builders, we are delighted to acquire the Rio brand and secure its long-term position in our wider portfolio. This allows us to realise the benefits of full brand ownership and support Rio’s continued growth. This acquisition is a further positive indication of our strategic ambitions.”
