The Quinn Partnership, The UK’s leading provider of Management Due Diligence, has advised NorthEdge Capital on its investment in Clearly Drinks Group Limited, an independent soft drinks company.

Led by Finn O’Driscoll and Martin Thornton, Clearly Drinks is a soft drinks manufacturer, bottler and distributor operating in the fast-growing flavoured spring water sector. The company specialises in sugar-free products, with brands including Perfectly Clear, 1870 Mixers, and Northumbria Spring, all of which are sourced from the firm’s on-site spring.

Based in Sunderland, the business offers flexible processing for its customers, including short and long runs, available in PET and glass, and provides contract bottling services for branded drinks companies across the globe. The company has a skilled workforce of over 70 people and will report turnover of £13.5m in the 12 months to December 2016. NorthEdge’s investment will support the management team on the planned investment in the plant, sales resource and to deliver a pipeline of new product development.

John Rastrick, Partner at NorthEdge, said: “We are delighted to support Finn, Martin and the team as they lead Perfectly Clear into new market opportunities. As more and more health-conscious shoppers look for alternatives to calorie-packed beverages following the pending introduction of the sugar tax, the demand for sugar-free, naturally flavoured products will continue to grow. Clearly Drinks is well placed to be at the forefront of that movement, and we are looking forward to working with the firm’s experienced management team to convert the pipeline of exciting new product development opportunities in this evolving market.”

Finn O’Driscoll, CEO at Clearly Drinks, said: “NorthEdge is an experienced investor, with a strong track record of delivering strategic and operational success across regional economies. We are excited about what we can achieve together, and with a buoyant market and strong team in place, this company is poised to go from strength to strength.”

Mike Stiles, Director at The Quinn Partnership, said: “Led by Finn and Martin with the support of NorthEdge, Clearly Drinks look well placed to take advantage of the increasing demand from health-conscious consumers in the soft drinks sector”.

For further details on Management Due Diligence contact us.