A.G. Barr

A.G. Barr p.l.c,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> commonly known as Barr's, is a Scottish soft drink and energy drink manufacturer based in Cumbernauld, Scotland. It is widely known for manufacturing the drink Irn-Bru. The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index.

History

A sculpture of Robert Barr is erected in Camelon, near Falkirk.

The company was founded in 1875 by Robert Barr in Falkirk.<ref name=history>Template:Cite web</ref> In 1887, his son, Robert Fulton Barr, set up a division of the original company in Glasgow, which had a much larger population.<ref name=history/> In 1892 the Glasgow branch passed to Andrew Greig Barr (where the name A.G. Barr comes from), a brother of the branch's founder.<ref name=history/> In 1899, they soft launched Irn-Bru, eventually launching it in 1901.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> The Falkirk and Glasgow divisions merged in 1959, and the company was listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1965.<ref name=history/>

In 1972, A.G. Barr acquired the Tizer brand.<ref name="history"/> In 2001 the company acquired Findlays Mineral Water which is sourced in the Lammermuir Hills.<ref>A.G. Barr buys up Findlays The Scotsman, 27 December 2002</ref> In 2002, Roger White joined A.G. Barr as managing director, and in 2004 became the first chief executive from outside the Barr family.<ref>The Big Profile: Roger White Template:Webarchive Insider Magazine, 25 November 2008</ref>

The company acquired Forfar-based Strathmore Mineral Water in May 2006.<ref name="Lyons">Template:Cite news</ref> The Irn-Bru 32 energy drink variant was launched in 2006.<ref name=history/> In 2008, the company purchased the Taut sports drink range,<ref name="Taut">Template:Cite web</ref> and exotic fruit drink company Rubicon.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2007 A.G. Barr began production and distribution of Rockstar Energy for the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> This contract was terminated in 2020, following the acquisition by PepsiCo.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In November 2012, the company agreed to merge with Britvic, which produces drinks like J₂O, Tango and Robinsons, as well as holding the authority to produce Pepsi for the UK market, to create one of Europe's largest soft drinks companies.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The merger was abandoned in July 2013.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In 2014 A.G. Barr signed a 10-year deal with Dr Pepper Snapple Group to sell, market and distribute the Snapple brand in the UK and some of Europe.<ref name="BBCScot2014">Template:Cite web</ref>

The company acquired a cocktail mixer business, Funkin, in February 2015.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In December 2022, the company acquired Boost Drinks for £20 million from founders Simon and Alison Gray.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The company also took full control of Moma Foods at that time.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In October 2023, it was announced A.G. Barr had acquired the Rio Tropical Limited soft drinks brand from the independent brewer and pub company, Hall and Woodhouse Limited, for £12.3 million.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In March 2025 A.G. Barr announced plans to discontinue Strathmore bottled water in a move that could see the closure of its Forfar factory,<ref name="STVStrathmore2025">Template:Cite web</ref> however in July 2025 the brand was acquired by Tŷ Nant which safeguarded the jobs.<ref name="FoodBevTyNant2025">Template:Cite web</ref> Also in July A.G. Barr acquired a majority stake in Innate-Essence Limited, parent company of The Turmeric Co.<ref name="FoodBevTurmeric2025">Template:Cite web</ref>

Brands

The company's brands are as follows:<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Template:Columns-list

Legal disputes

Barr brand bubblegum-flavoured soft drink

On 14 July 1961, the Coca-Cola Company asked Lord WalkerTemplate:NoteTag for an interim interdict about the type of bottle used by A.G. Barr's "Kolabar", "Cydrap" and "Stilkrush" in the Court of Session. Coca-Cola's argument was that "real danger that the bottle used by [A.G. Barr] for containing Kolabar will be mistaken by the public for [Coca-Cola].", while A.G. Barr's argument was "the position of Coca-Cola in the soft drinks industry in Scotland is insignificant in comparison with that of [A.G. Barr]". Lord Walker refused the interim interdict, as a large part of their business could've been disturbed, additionally because Coca-Cola made no sales in the country at that point.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Operations

A.G. Barr produces a variety of soft drinks from production sites at Cumbernauld, Forfar and Milton Keynes.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

External links

• Official Website