A.G. Barr Explained

A.G. Barr p.l.c.
Type:Public
Traded As:
FTSE 250 Component
Founder:Robert Barr
Area Served:Worldwide
Revenue: ÂŁ420.4 million (2025)[1]
Operating Income: ÂŁ51.7 million (2025)
Net Income: ÂŁ39.7 million (2025)
Num Employees:981 (2025)

A.G. Barr p.l.c,[2] [3] commonly known as Barr's, is a 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

The company was founded in 1875 by Robert Barr in Falkirk.[4] In 1887, his son, Robert Fulton Barr, set up a division of the original company in Glasgow, which had a much larger population.[4] 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.[4] In 1899, they soft launched Irn-Bru, eventually launching it in 1901.[5] The Falkirk and Glasgow divisions merged in 1959, and the company was listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1965.[4]

In 1972, A.G. Barr acquired the Tizer brand.[4] In 2001 the company acquired Findlays Mineral Water which is sourced in the Lammermuir Hills.[6] In 2002, Roger White joined A.G. Barr as managing director, and in 2004 became the first chief executive from outside the Barr family.[7]

The company acquired Forfar-based Strathmore Mineral Water in May 2006.[8] The Irn-Bru 32 energy drink variant was launched in 2006.[4] In 2008, the company purchased the Taut sports drink range,[9] and exotic fruit drink company Rubicon.[10]

In 2007 A.G. Barr began production and distribution of Rockstar Energy for the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland.[11] This contract was terminated in 2020, following the acquisition by PepsiCo.[12]

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.[13] The merger was abandoned in July 2013.[14]

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.[15]

The company acquired a cocktail mixer business, Funkin, in February 2015.[16]

In December 2022, the company acquired Boost Drinks for ÂŁ20 million from founders Simon and Alison Gray.[17] The company also took full control of Moma Foods at that time.[18]

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 ÂŁ12.3 million.[19]

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;[20] however, in July 2025 the brand was acquired by TĹ· Nant which safeguarded the jobs.[21] Also in July A.G. Barr acquired a majority stake in Innate-Essence Limited, parent company of The Turmeric Co.[22]

In February 2026, the company announced that it was to acquire Hexam-based Fentimans for ÂŁ38 million and Devon-based Frobishers for ÂŁ13 million.[23]

Brands

The company's brands are as follows:[24]

Legal disputes

On 14 July 1961, the Coca-Cola Company asked Lord Walker 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.[25] [26]

Operations

A.G. Barr produces a variety of soft drinks from production sites at Cumbernauld, and Milton Keynes.[27] [28]

The company has also previously had production sites in Atherton,[29] [30] [31] Falkirk,[32] Forfar, Mansfield,[33] Parkhead (Glasgow),[34] Pitcox[35] and Tredegar.[36] [37]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Annual Report 2025. A.G. Barr. 9 December 2025.
  2. Web site: 30 June 1904 . A.G. Barr p.l.c. overview – Find and update company information – GOV.UK . 24 October 2024 . .
  3. Web site: Privacy Policy – AG Barr . 24 October 2024 . AG Barr .
  4. Web site: History . A.G. Barr .
  5. "Original and Best"? How Barr's Irn-Bru Became a Scottish Icon . 10.4000/etudesecossaises.1206 . Études Écossaises . April 2017 . 19 . Leishman . David .
  6. http://business.scotsman.com/6983/AG-Barr-buys-up-Findlays.2289288.jp A.G. Barr buys up Findlays
  7. http://www.business7.co.uk/insider-magazine/2008/11/25/the-big-profile-roger-white-97298-20943094/ The Big Profile: Roger White
  8. News: Barr hopes water deal will help it fizz again. . William . Lyons. 28 May 2006.
  9. Web site: AG Barr grows in sports drinks. Financial Times . Jeremy . Lemer . 25 January 2008 .
  10. Web site: AG Barr profits bolstered by exotic fruit drink Rubicon. Haymarket . Marketing Magazine . Loulla-Mae . Eleftheriou-Smith . 29 September 2010 .
  11. News: Barr renews US energy drink deal. BBC News . 26 June 2012.
  12. Web site: Rockstar terminates contract with AG Barr. 24 June 2020. www.talkingretail.com.
  13. News: AG Barr and Britvic agree to merger. BBC News. 14 November 2012. 14 September 2014.
  14. News: AG Barr abandons bid for Britvic . BBC News . BBC . 11 July 2013 . 8 August 2013.
  15. Web site: Diageo sells Dutch herbal liqueur brand . BBC News . BBC . 30 September 2014 . 6 August 2025.
  16. News: A. G. Barr buys cocktail mixer firm Funkin Ltd in deal worth up to ÂŁ21m . Business Insider. 2 February 2015. 22 July 2024.
  17. News: Walsh . Dominic . Boost energy drink nets ÂŁ20m for founders Simon and Alison Gray . . 6 December 2022 . 0140-0460.
  18. News: A. G. Barr acquires Moma Foods for ÂŁ3.4 million. Food Manufacture. 20 December 2022. 22 July 2024.
  19. Web site: 24 October 2023 . A.G. Barr Acquires Rio Soft Drinks Brand . 25 October 2023 . ESM Magazine .
  20. Web site: Irn‑Bru maker to discontinue Strathmore bottled water brand, putting 23 jobs at risk in Forfar . STV News . STV . 25 March 2025 . 6 August 2025.
  21. Web site: Ty Nant strengthens portfolio with acquisition of Strathmore Water from AG Barr . FoodBev Media . 29 July 2025 . 6 August 2025.
  22. Web site: AG Barr buys majority stake in functional beverage brand The Turmeric Co . FoodBev Media . FoodBev Media . 15 July 2025 . 6 August 2025.
  23. News: Irn-Bru maker AG Barr buys Fentimans and Frobishers drinks brands. 3 February 2026. BBC News. 3 February 2026.
  24. Web site: Our brands. A. G. Barr. 6 August 2025.
  25. Web site: Coca-Cola Co. v. Barr (AG) – Reports of Patent, Design and Trade . 16 January 2024 . paperzz.com.
  26. News: 15 July 1961 . SOFT DRINK COMPANIES ARE IN DISPUTE . The Glasgow Herald . 8.
  27. Web site: A.G.Barr factshire. Citywire. 19 March 2018.
  28. Web site: Inside the factory: AG Barr's soft drinks . 2 February 2026 . The Manufacturer .
  29. Web site: McFarlane . Nigel . 29 March 2006 . Irn-Bru owners to close factory . https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/717196.irn-bru-owners-to-close-factory . 2 February 2026 . 2 February 2026 . The Bolton News .
  30. Web site: Gomm . Brian . 31 March 2006 . Barr's factory closure shock . https://web.archive.org/web/20260202091215/https://www.leighjournal.co.uk/news/720108.barrs-factory-closure-shock/ . 2 February 2026 . 2 February 2026 . Leigh Journal .
  31. Web site: McFarlane . Nigel . 2 July 2007 . End of an era for factory . https://web.archive.org/web/20260202083120/https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/1512479.end-of-an-era-for-factory/ . 2 February 2026 . 2 February 2026 . The Bolton News .
  32. News: 27 January 2007 . Irn man steeled for change . https://web.archive.org/web/20260202094007/https://www.heraldscotland.com/default_content/12754353.irn-man-steeled-change/ . 2 February 2026 . 2 February 2026 . The Herald .
  33. Web site: Nanrah . Gurjeet . 11 October 2019 . The fizzy drinks factory where Irn Bru was made before moving to Scotland . https://web.archive.org/web/20191117180917/https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/local-news/notts-fizzy-drinks-factory-irn-3402487 . 17 November 2019 . 2 February 2026 . Nottinghamshire Live .
  34. Web site: 2 June 2015 . Parkhead Heritage Trail . https://web.archive.org/web/20260202093415/https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/media/3643/Parkhead-Heritage-Trail/pdf/Parkhead_Heritage_Trail.pdf . 2 February 2026 . Glasgow City Council.
  35. Web site: Cameron . Greig . 25 March 2015 . AG Barr eyes Scandinavia and England for growth . https://web.archive.org/web/20260202082510/https://www.heraldscotland.com/business_hq/13207185.ag-barr-eyes-scandinavia-england-growth/ . 2 February 2026 . 2 February 2026 . The Herald .
  36. Web site: 2 June 2014 . AG Barr plans to close Tredegar factory – Insider Media . 2 February 2026 . Insider Media Ltd .
  37. Web site: Denholm-Hall . Rupert . 2 February 2015 . Tredegar Irn-Bru factory to close with 67 jobs lost . https://web.archive.org/web/20151220073804/https://www.walesonline.co.uk/business/tredegar-irn-bru-factory-close-67-8560688 . 20 December 2015 . 2 February 2026 . Wales Online .

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