Nichols plc Regulatory News (NICL)

10 Apr 2007 07:01

Nichols PLC10 April 2007 Date: Embargoed until 07.00hrs, Tuesday 10 April 2007 Contacts: John Nichols, Executive ChairmanBrendan Hynes, Group Finance DirectorNichols plcTelephone: 01925 222222Website: www.nicholsplc.co.uk Alistair Mackinnon-MussonNicola SavageHudson SandlerTelephone: 020 7796 4133Email: nichols@hspr.com Photographs available: On request from Hudson Sandler, as above Nichols plc Acquisition of Cariel Soft Drinks Nichols plc, the soft drinks group, is pleased to announce the acquisition ofthe cold soft drinks on draught business, Cariel Soft Drinks. Nichols plc is a highly focused soft drinks and dispensed cold drinks business,comprising two operations: 1) Soft Drinks (sales and marketing of the Vimto brand throughout theworld, where it is now available in over 65 countries and of the Panda & Sunkistbrands in the UK) and 2) Dispense Systems (namely the Cabana & Beacon cold soft drinks on draught'dispense' businesses) Based in Dunblane, Scotland and with an annual turnover of £1.7m, Cariel holds akey position in its marketplace north of the border and, when combined withNichols' existing Scottish Cabana operation, will cement the Group's position asthe third largest operator in the dispense sector in the UK. The purchase of Cariel Soft Drinks also demonstrates the Board's continued focuson its strategy of growing both of the Group's core operations, Soft Drinks andDispense Systems. Commenting, John Nichols, said: "I am delighted to welcome Cariel to the Group. We've been making excellentprogress in our Dispense Systems Operation, so this acquisition fits perfectlyand helps to underpin our market position in the UK dispense sector, where we'rethe third largest operator". -ENDS- This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange