Nichols PLC
- Company typePublic
- Founded1908
- HeadquartersNewton-le-willows, United Kingdom
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
Nichols PLC firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Nichols PLC
- Legal name
- Nichols PLC
- Website
- https://www.nicholsplc.co.uk
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1908
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Nichols PLC industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Soft Drinks
- NAICS
- Soft Drink Manufacturing (312111), Soft Drink and Ice Manufacturing (31211), Beverage Manufacturing (3121)
- SIC
- Bottled & Canned Soft Drinks & Carbonated Waters (2086), Beverages (2080)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Non-Carbonated Soft Drinks (Juice Drinks, Lemonades, Fruit Drinks) (CRADAHAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Soft Drink & Carbonated Beverage Syrups (AFAFAGAA), Still Soft Drinks & Flavored Waters (Non-Carbonated) (AFAFABAB)
Keywords
Where Nichols PLC is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Newton-le-willows
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Nichols PLC business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Soft Drinks Sales: Nichols generates revenue through the sale of soft drinks across multiple categories including squash, flavoured carbonates, fruit drinks, energy drinks, and flavoured water. The company operates through three routes to market: UK Packaged (retail), International Packaged (export markets), and Out of Home (hospitality).
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Nichols PLC product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Nichols PLC is a diversified soft drinks group that supplies branded beverages (primarily Vimto, alongside Levi Roots, SLUSH PUPPiE, ICEE, Starslush, Sunkist and Feel Good) across three routes to market: UK Packaged, International Packaged, and Out of Home. The company operates an asset-light model with outsourced production, selling finished soft drinks products in formats such as squash, carbonates, still drinks, energy drinks, frozen beverages, and slush products.
Product overview
Nichols PLC is a diversified soft drinks Group operating an asset-light business model with three routes to market: UK Packaged, International Packaged, and Out of Home. The company's product portfolio centers on owned and licensed beverage brands, primarily the iconic Vimto brand (squash, carbonates, still drinks, and energy variants) which is sold in over 60 countries with strong presence in UK, Middle East, and Africa. Additional owned brands include ICEE, SLUSH PUPPiE, and Starslush operating through the Out of Home channel, while licensed brands Levi Roots and Sunkist round out the portfolio. Products are distributed through retailers and out-of-home venues globally.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Vimto: The iconic flagship brand of Nichols, popular in UK and internationally, particularly in Middle East and Africa
- Vimto Zero
- Vimto Remix
- Levi Roots
- Levi Roots Energy
- SLUSH PUPPiE
- SLUSH PUPPiE FIZZiE
- ICEE
- Starslush
- Sunkist
- Feel Good
- Vimto Energy
Products and services
- Vimto Iconic soft drinks brand offering squash, carbonates, still drinks, and energy variants. Sold in over 60 countries worldwide with particularly strong presence in UK, Middle East, and Africa markets. Targeted at consumers seeking refreshing mainstream beverages.
- Vimto Energy Energy drinks sub-brand within the Vimto portfolio featuring zero sugar, natural caffeine, real fruit juice, and vitamins B6 & B12. Targeted at adult consumers seeking healthier energy drink options.
- Vimto Energy Tropical Cooler 500ml canned energy drink with tropical flavor containing Vitamins B6 & B12, zero sugar, natural caffeine, and real fruit juice. Targeted at adult consumers through convenience and wholesale channels.
- Vimto Remix Vimto Remix range offering flavor-packed choice in ready to drink, squash and carbonated formats including Orange, Strawberry and Lime. No added sugar and fortified with Vitamin C.
- Vimto Winter Warmer Limited-edition seasonal squash product designed to be enjoyed hot, featuring cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove infused into Vimto's recipe. No added sugar, real fruit content, added vitamin C.
- Vimto Zero Cordial (Middle East) Sugar-free cordial variant of Vimto launched in the Middle East market in partnership with Aujan Coca-Cola Beverages Company for Ramadan. Targeted at health-conscious consumers in the region.
- Vimto Fans' Edition Limited-edition co-created Vimto range featuring two flavors (Pina Guava Pineapple & Guava; Sunset Papaya-dise Orange & Papaya) developed through consumer voting on flavors and pack designs. Available in 500ml PMP and 2L formats.
- Levi Roots Caribbean-flavored soft drinks brand featuring unique tropical fruit blends including Jamaican Sunset, Caribbean Crush, and Tropical Punch. Available in carbonates and energy variants with 500ml PET and can formats.
- Levi Roots Energy Energy drink line under Levi Roots brand featuring Caribbean flavors (Caribbean Crush with hint of ginger; Jamaican Sunset with pinch of chilli). Contains natural caffeine, B6 and B12 fortification. Available in 500ml can format.
- Levi Roots Reggae Sunrise Levi Roots Reggae Sunrise blends passion fruit with papaya and citrus (carbonates) or turmeric (energy). Available in 500ml PET PMP formats. Backed by multi-city sampling campaign 'Awaken the Nation'.
- SLUSH PUPPiE Frozen iced slush brand with FIZZiE carbonated line. Includes zero sugar options made with natural flavors. Operates through the Out of Home route to market in venues popular with families.
- SLUSH PUPPiE FIZZiE Green Apple New zero sugar SLUSH PUPPiE FIZZiE flavor in Green Apple, made with natural flavors. Available in 500ml with £1 price-marked pack and 2L formats. Targeted at families and children.
- ICEE Global frozen beverage brand operating through the Out of Home route to market in hospitality and leisure venues.
- Starslush Iced slush product brand operating through the Out of Home channel. Reformulated to remove glycerol following FSA industry guidance for safety in venues popular with young children.
- Sunkist Licensed fruit-flavored citrus-based soft drink brand distributed by Nichols PLC.
- Feel Good Acquired soft drinks brand retained by Nichols PLC in its portfolio.
Quantifiable outcome
- Vimto achieved record retail sales value of £129.1m in 2025
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Nichols PLC
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Nichols PLC technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Nichols PLC partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Aujan Coca-Cola Beverages CompanycoreLong-standing partnership with Aujan Coca-Cola Beverages Company in the Middle East for Vimto distribution. The partnership successfully launched Vimto Zero cordial, expanding the no-added sugar product range in the region.
- Manchester ThunderminorStrategic partnership to create the first VNSL franchise led ParaNetball club, focusing on raising the profile of the sport and creating an inclusive environment for deaf and disabled young people.
- Green ElementminorCarbon experts who facilitated Nichols' Net Zero roadmap development process, including an off-site day for the cross-functional team to co-create decarbonization ideas.
- AsdacorePartnership with Asda for Vimto Refill Station in their sustainable store concept in Middleton, Leeds. Shoppers can purchase reusable bottles to fill with Vimto cordial, supporting sustainability goals.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Nichols PLC competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Cott Corporation: Beverage solutions provider producing private-label and branded soft drinks across multiple categories. Comparable as a contract manufacturer and brand operator in the non-alcoholic beverage space, particularly relevant given Nichols' asset-light outsourced production model.
- Cawston Press: UK-based premium soft drinks and juice brand. Comparable as a smaller branded soft drinks competitor in UK retail, particularly in the juice and still drinks categories where Vimto competes.
Broad incumbents
- Refresco Group: Global independent bottler producing private-label and branded soft drinks and juices for retailers and brand owners. Comparable as an outsourced production partner model competitor and as a European non-alcoholic beverage manufacturer.
- Monster Beverage Corporation: Pure-play global energy drinks company. Competes directly with Vimto Energy across multiple markets and channels, with deep distribution and aggressive marketing investment that sets the competitive bar in the category.
- Coca-Cola Europacific Partners: Large-scale bottler and distributor for Coca-Cola brands across Western Europe and Australia. Comparable as a major player in UK and European retail soft drinks, supplying the same grocery and convenience customers that Nichols serves.
- Red Bull GmbH: Global energy drinks incumbent and category-defining brand. Comparable as a competitor to Nichols' growing Vimto Energy range, particularly in convenience and on-trade channels where energy drinks compete for the same consumer occasions.
Direct peers
- Fever-Tree Drinks PLC: UK-listed premium mixer brand competing in the same UK retail and hospitality channels as Nichols. Comparable as a brand-led, asset-light soft drinks company targeting both grocery and on-trade customers.
- Britvic PLC: Direct UK-listed soft drinks peer (PepsiCo bottler in UK and Ireland) operating a similar branded soft drinks portfolio across carbonates, juices, squashes, and energy drinks, serving retail and hospitality channels. Highly comparable in scale, business model, and UK retail customer base.
- A.G. BARR plc: UK-listed branded soft drinks company best known for Irn-Bru, with a portfolio of carbonates, waters, and energy drinks (including Rubicon and Rockstar). Closely comparable to Nichols in asset-light brand-owner model and UK retail distribution focus.
Others
- Tate & Lyle PLC: UK-listed ingredients company with significant beverage and food formulation exposure. Comparable as a London-listed consumer goods company serving the soft drinks value chain, though positioned upstream as an ingredient supplier rather than a brand owner.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Nichols PLC social profiles
Digital presenceNichols PLC financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Nichols PLC leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Nichols PLC funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Nichols PLC M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A8 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Nichols PLC
What does Nichols PLC do?
Nichols PLC is a diversified soft drinks group that supplies branded beverages (primarily Vimto, alongside Levi Roots, SLUSH PUPPiE, ICEE, Starslush, Sunkist and Feel Good) across three routes to market: UK Packaged, International Packaged, and Out of Home. The company operates an asset-light model with outsourced production, selling finished soft drinks products in formats such as squash, carbonates, still drinks, energy drinks, frozen beverages, and slush products.
Is Nichols PLC a public or private company?
Nichols PLC is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was Nichols PLC founded?
Nichols PLC was founded in 1908. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Nichols PLC based?
Nichols PLC is headquartered in Newton-le-willows, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Nichols PLC make money?
One revenue line is on record: soft Drinks Sales.
Who are Nichols PLC's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Cott Corporation and Cawston Press. Broad incumbents are Refresco Group, Monster Beverage Corporation, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners and Red Bull GmbH. Direct peers are Fever-Tree Drinks PLC, Britvic PLC and A.G. BARR plc. Tate & Lyle PLC is listed as an others.
Does Nichols PLC have an API?
No public API is recorded for Nichols PLC.
What industry is Nichols PLC in?
Nichols PLC's product category is Soft Drinks. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRADAHAB, Non-Carbonated Soft Drinks (Juice Drinks, Lemonades, Fruit Drinks), with a secondary code of AFAFAGAA, Soft Drink & Carbonated Beverage Syrups. Its NAICS code is 312111 and its SIC code is 2086.