UK: Cadbury coy on Dr Pepper/7Up rumours

By just-drinks.com editorial team | 24 April 2006

Cadbury Schweppes has stayed silent on reports that it is close to buying the Dr Pepper/7Up bottling group, the largest independent soft drinks bottler in the US.

The UK soft drinks group refused to be drawn on reports linking it to a bid for the entire group, in which it owns a 45% stake. "We are not commenting at all," a Cadbury Schweppes spokesperson told just-drinks today (24 April).

A report in the Financial Times yesterday said a deal to buy a stake owned by US private equity firm Carlyle Group was expected to be announced shortly. Cadbury Schweppes and Carlyle bought the privately held group for US$283m in cash and US$408m in debt in 1999.

Cadbury Schweppes holds a 17% share of the fizzy drinks market in the US. Last June it upped its stake in Dr Pepper/7Up from 40% to 45%.

Sectors: Soft drinks, Water

Companies: Cadbury Schweppes