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£10M TAKEOVER FOR FAMILY OWNED SOFT DRINKS BUSINESS
…award winning Sangs gets set for expansion under new ownership

In a deal worth more than £10 million, Sangs (Banff) Ltd, the family owned soft drinks manufacturer based in Macduff, Aberdeenshire, has been acquired in a friendly takeover. 

Concluded today (Friday 6 July ‘07), the deal sees the 111-year-old award winning business move from the hands of three Donald brothers, whose family first took control of the company in 1971, into the new ownership of business partners Kenny Webster and Andy Anderson.  The finance package has been put together with the Allied Irish Bank (GB) and Aberdeen headquartered Ritson Smith is acting as lead advisor to Sangs.

Set to carry on the company’s long tradition for innovation, the new partners bring Sangs many significant contacts along with years of experience in the soft drinks industry and retail sector.  They now have their sights set on further developing the Macduff manufacturing facility and its depot in Aberdeen, beginning with the introduction of new distribution channels from day one for the popular product portfolio – Deveron Valley spring water, MacB flavoured water, Jet Pop children’s drinks, Fruit Twist juice drinks, One Fruit and Justadash sugar free concentrates.

Kenny Webster (44) is Managing Director of Scotland’s largest independent petrol retailer, Calanike Retailing Ltd, a £57+ million turnover business with more than 200 employees.  Sangs brands will be sold across Calanike’s 20 forecourt shops, immediately increasing distribution.  Along with Andy Anderson (55), who worked for 21 years with A G Barr plc, latterly as Sales Manager Scotland, this is just one of many new distribution channels the team have in the planning.

“Sangs was already very well known to us both and not just for its product portfolio but also as a solid, profitable performer,” said Andy Anderson.  “As we move forward, Sangs offers us superb potential for expansion, this is an exciting time for us all as we get set to take the business onto the next level.”

“Quite simply we would not have considered an approach that could have broken up the business.  Instead, this team have shown real drive and commitment, working closely with us over the past few months to obtain a thorough understanding of the people, products and systems.  While we will be assisting them in the coming months to ensure complete continuity, we take this opportunity to wish them well in their new venture.”

Sangs, which employs 73 people in Macduff and Aberdeen, distributes products through the major multiples and cash and carry operations across the UK.

BEHIND THE NEW SANGS VENTURE

Between them, the team of Kenny Webster and Andy Anderson have a wealth of experience and contacts in the soft drinks and retail industries.

Kenny Webster (44) – is Managing Director of Calanike Retailing Ltd, which was launched in 1998 and is now the largest independent petrol retailer in Scotland and ranked 10th in the UK.  The Kirkintilloch-based business, which operates 20 freehold petrol and retail sites spread from Ayrshire down to Middlesbrough, has a turnover in excess of £57m and employs more than 200 people.  Prior to setting up Calanike, Kenny operated in the same business as a sole trader.  He is also a Director and 50% shareholder in Digital Solutions Limited, which is an office equipment supplier distributing throughout the UK.

Andy Anderson (55) – joined A G Barr plc in 1986 from his position as sales supervisor with Scottish Farmers.  During his 21 years with Barr, he had responsibility for seven branches and 350 employees and managed consolidation of the business into the new Cumbernauld manufacturing and distribution facility.  Andy took up his position as Sales Manager Scotland in 1994 and left the company last year to pursue his own interests in the industry.