Merseyside-based Vimto and soft drinks firm Nichols plc said it has acquired Dublin-based Vithit Limited and its subsidiaries for £64 million in cash.
“Vithit is an excellent strategic fit for Nichols given its leading market positions in a structurally attractive soft drinks sub-category, complementary asset-light operating model, established profitability and significant growth opportunities,” said Nichols.
“The acquisition is expected to be immediately earnings enhancing.”
Founded in Dublin in 2001, Vithit is a 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 8 essential vitamins through a portfolio that spans bottled ready-to-drink beverages, sparkling cans and effervescent products, serving a range of health and wellness consumption occasions,” said Nichols.
“The business 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.
“For the financial year ended 31 December 2025, Vithit generated revenue of €26.5 million (representing a 3-year CAGR c. 9.5% with over 90% sales growth since FY21), an adjusted operating profit of €4.2 million and adjusted PBT of €4.1 million.”
Nichols will retain Vithit’s Dublin office, and will be supported by its management team, some of whom will step down after a transition, while the chairman and founder Gary Lavin will step down from day one.
Nichols CEO Andrew Milne said: “We are delighted to announce the acquisition of Vithit – an outstanding brand with a differentiated product operating in a rapidly growing soft drinks category.
“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 and is fully aligned with our long-term growth strategy.
“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.
“Nichols is ideally placed to accelerate Vithit’s development through our commercial capabilities, customer relationships, route-to-market expertise and international infrastructure. A significant opportunity exists to expand distribution across the Group’s existing customer base.
“The acquisition is immediately earnings enhancing and is expected to generate attractive returns for shareholders and strengthen our ability to deliver sustainable long-term growth.
“We are delighted to welcome the Vithit team to Nichols and look forward to working together to realise the significant opportunities ahead.”
Gary Lavin, Founder of Vithit, said: “Since launching Vithit more than twenty-five years ago, our ambition has always been to build a distinctive health and wellness drinks brand with broad consumer appeal.
“We are proud of what the team has achieved and consider Nichols the ideal partner to support the next stage of the brand’s development.
“Nichols brings proven brand-building expertise, strong customer relationships and significant commercial capabilities, while sharing our long-term approach to growth.
“We are excited about the opportunities this creates for Vithit , its colleagues, customers and consumers.”