Cadbury Schweppes launches Dr Pepper Snapple Group

PLANO Cadbury Schweppes has spun off its Americas Beverages business into a separate company dubbed Dr Pepper Snapple Group, which was initially listed on the New York Stock Exchange May 7.

The DPS brand portfolio includes flavored carbonated soft drinks, ready-to-drink teas, juices, mixers, waters and other premium beverages. According to DPS, three quarters of the company's volume comes from brands that are either number one or two in their category. The company had 2007 full-year revenues of $5.7 billion.

"Today marks the beginning of a new era for our business. We have a strong and sustainable business model and can leverage our integrated system for future growth," said Larry Young, president and chief executive officer of DPS. "We have confidence in the beverage industry and we are looking forward to seizing the opportunities as a stand alone company."

The DPS portfolio includes popular brands such as 7UP, Mott's, A&W, Sunkist Soda, Hawaiian Punch, Canada Dry, Schweppes, RC Cola, Diet Rite, Squirt, Penafiel, Yoo-hoo, Rose's, Clamato and Mr & Mrs T mixers.

The DPS business was formed in 2003 by bringing together Cadbury Schweppes' four separate North American beverage business units: Dr Pepper/Seven Up, Mott's, Snapple Beverage Group and Bebidas Mexico. This move brought more than 50 brands under a common vision, business strategy and management structure.

In 2006, the company acquired and began integrating three major independent bottling companies (Dr Pepper/Seven Up Bottling Group, All-American Bottling Company and Seven Up Bottling Company of San Francisco). The following year, the company acquired Southeast-Atlantic Beverage Corp., then the second largest independent bottling company in the U.S.