Cott Beverages, the largest retailer brand beverage company in the world, announced the acquisition of the SUSO brand for an undisclosed sum.

With over 4,000 employees, the business operates soft drink, juice, water and other beverage bottling facilities in the UK, United States, Canada and Mexico.  The UK and European head office is located in Kegworth, Derbyshire.

The addition of SUSO, a range of sparkling and still soft drinks primarily sold through the education sector and considered healthier alternatives to carbonated beverages, is expect to strengthen the Cott UK branded portfolio, which already includes brands such as Old Jamaica Ginger Beer, Ting, Emerge, Red Rooster and Ben Shaws.

The current SUSO range offers a blend of mixed fruit juice with water or natural flavourings and has no added sugars, sweeteners or artificial additives.  Each serving qualifies as one of your five a day fruit intake, containing over 50% fruit juice.

Steve Kitching, managing director of Cott Beverages, said: “We are committed to the continued development of SUSO within the Foodservice and Catering sector and look forward to maximising the potential of the brand in 2012 and beyond. A ‘schools approved’ product, SUSO adds a new dimension to our branded product portfolio ensuring our customers and distributors have the widest choice possible when making purchase decisions.”