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Bristol company buys Fairtrade cola brand
Fairtrade drinks company, Natural Beverages, have purchased the Ubuntu Cola brand, the UK’s first ethical cola brand to add to their arsenal of products.
Headquartered in Victoria Street, Redcliffe, the company announced the buyout after distributing Ubuntu Cola for previous owners, The Ubuntu Trading Company, since 2011. The drink is currently stocked in Waitrose, Co-op, West Cornwall Pasty co. and other independent outlets, selling 1 million cans a year. Plans are in place to target festivals as part of the growth model.
Natural Beverages Chairman, Leonard van Geest, said; “We’re very excited to have purchased this well-loved brand that already has an established fan base. It is an excellent addition to our product range, a great tasting beverage we’re keen to make price viable and competitive against the larger cola brands. If the choice is there, why wouldn’t you chose a more ethical cola? We’ve got some exciting plans for Ubuntu Cola, including brand extensions we’re hoping to announce in the forthcoming year.”
The Natural Beverage Company, who are celebrating their 10-year anniversary this year, are known for their Fruit Hit juices and smoothies. They sell 3.5 million bottles/cartons of drink each year, turning over £2 million.
Image courtesy of The Leys Fairtrade, Cambridge
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