Cadbury Schweppes announces that is has bought Green & Black's, the UK's fastest growing confectionery brand*, in a move that will enable continued growth of the luxury organic chocolate brand and further its international expansion.
Cadbury Schweppes, which acquired a minority 5% stake in the company in 2002, has confirmed that Green & Black's will be run as a standalone business. Green & Black's founder, Craig Sams, will continue his role as President and the management team, led by Chief Executive William Kendall and Finance Director Nick Beart, who acquired the majority of the business from Sams in 1999, will remain unchanged.
Craig Sams, President of Green & Black's and Chairman of The Soil Association said:
"I am delighted that my vision for premium, high cocoa organic chocolate is entering the next stage of its successful evolution. Our businesses share a commitment to ethical values and I am confident that, with the involvement of Cadbury Schweppes, we will now be able to bring these positive messages to a much wider international audience."
William Kendall, CEO of Green & Black's said:
"The premium quality chocolate market is growing fast globally and Green & Black's taste combined with its organic and ethical integrity puts it in pole position to benefit from this. With the support of Cadbury Schweppes we will continue the exceptional growth of the brand and establish Green & Black's internationally."
Todd Stitzer, CEO of Cadbury Schweppes said:
"We are incredibly impressed with the success the Green & Black's team has achieved and welcome them into the Cadbury Schweppes family. Our businesses share a passion for quality products and ethical values so this is a very natural fit."
* (AC Nielsen MAT March 05, Sterling Sales, All Outlets)
About Cadbury Schweppes
Cadbury Schweppes is a major global business which manufactures, markets and distributes branded beverage refreshments and confectionery treats around the world. With origins stretching back over 200 years, today Cadbury Schweppes' products - which include brands such as Cadbury, Schweppes, Halls, Trident, Dr Pepper, Snapple, Trebor, Dentyne, Bubblicious and Bassett - are enjoyed in almost every country around the world. In 2004, Cadbury Schweppes was voted Britain's most admired company by its peers. It is number one in sugar and functional confectionery, a strong number two in gum and the world's third largest soft drinks group.
About Green & Black's
Launched in 1991, Green & Black's is now the UK's fastest growing confectionery brand with year-on-year growth of 69% (AC Nielsen MAT January 05, Value Sales, All Outlets).
- Green & Black's now commands 5.1% of the UK large block chocolate market, recently overtaking closest rival Lindt
- In the financial year ending February 2005, Green & Black's sales turnover was £22.4m
- Green & Black's Maya Gold chocolate was the first product to be awarded the Fairtrade Mark in 1994
- In 1999, William Kendall, former CEO of New Covent Garden Soup Company, led a team of investors in refinancing Green & Black's. Kendall and his investors acquired 80% of the business. Craig Sams, the founder of the brand retained 20% and became the company's President.
- Cadbury's investment in Green & Black's in 2002 helped fund both an extensive repackaging exercise and an increased marketing spend.
- The Green & Black's product range includes 150g, 100g and 20g chocolate bars as well as premium organic ice cream, biscuits, drinking chocolate, cooking products, gift boxes and Easter eggs.
- Green & Black's products are available from Waitrose, Sainsbury's, Tesco, Morrisons, Somerfield and other leading multiple retailers as well as Boots, Fresh & Wild, Planet Organic, Selfridges, House of Fraser, Pret A Manger, Threshers and other selected fine food & organic stores nationwide.