Merseyside Vimto owner Nichols acquires Irish soft drinks firm in deal worth around £64m. Tony McDonough reports
Merseyside Vimto owner Nichols has acquired a low-calorie, low-sugar soft drinks maker for around £64m.
Stock exchange-listed Nichols announced the deal to buy Dublin-based VITHIT on Monday morning. In a statement the Newton-le-Willows-based firm said the takeover is expected to be immediately earnings enhancing.
Founded in Dublin in 2001, VITHIT is a category-leading functional drinks brand offering a portfolio of low-calorie, low-sugar beverages fortified with vitamins and functional ingredients.
VITHIT’s products offer 100% of the recommended daily allowance of eight essential vitamins through a portfolio that spans bottled ready-to-drink beverages, sparkling cans and effervescent products.
It has established market-leading positions in the UK and Ireland together with a presence across 13 other international markets.
In the UK and Ireland, it has strong and diversified customer relationships across grocery, convenience, foodservice and specialist retail channels.
Nichols sells Vimto in more than 60 countries around the world. It is also behind the SLUSH PUPPiE Feel Good, ICEE, Levi Roots and Sunkist soft drink brands. In late July it reported a 31.6% surge in pre-tax profits to £15m and a 4.7% rise in sales to £89.5m in the first half of 2026.
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Andrew Milne, chief executive of Nichols, said: “With its established market position, alignment with our asset-light operating model, proven profitability and significant headroom for growth, VITHIT perfectly fits the acquisition profile we have been looking for.
“The brand has built strong market positions in both the UK and Ireland, supported by a differentiated consumer proposition, high levels of customer loyalty and – above all – a great tasting portfolio of functional soft drinks.”