Fever-Tree, a UK-based producer of tonic water and mixer brands, has sold its 49% stake to private equity group Lloyds Development Capital (LDC) for £48m to drive growth in countries all across the world with emphasis on Spain, the UK and the US.
In the last three years, Free-Tree has reported average annual revenue growth of 60%. It further expects to report growth of 25% in the UK and Spain, and over 50% in the US in the next three years, as Spain and the US serve as largest markets for tonic waters and cocktails, respectively.
The new investment will help the company to drive brand's presence in the UK and Spain, and expand into the US and other countries around the world.
LDC London investment team managing director Daniel Sasaki, who along with investment director Bertie Aykroyd, will join Fever-Tree's board, said this is a good example to show Private Equity backing British entrepreneurs.
"We are delighted to be backing Charles and Tim and we are committed to supporting them in unlocking further global expansion in this premium consumer niche," Sasaki added.
"Fever-Tree follows in a tradition of great British venture brands including Innocent, Ella's Kitchen and Tyrrells which all created powerful brands and then achieved fantastic success by exporting them to the rest of the world."
Fever-Tree is currently present in 35 countries worldwide and expects to double sales in the next three years in markets like Canada, Italy, Australia, Japan, Colombia and Germany.