Schweppes, originally over decades very strong in Belgium and France might have originated from cultural need of more Latin and southern countries for cold refreshing drinks as a substitute for heat.
In 1794, Richard Cadbury, a prominent Quaker, moved from the West Country in Britain to Birmingham.
A number of years later, in the United Kingdom in 1824, his son, John Cadbury began selling tea coffee, hops, mustard and a new sideline – coca and drinking chocolate, which John prepared himself using a mortar and a pestle.
These sales were bolstered by his increasing sales of coca and chocolate. In the 1860s, when George Cadbury and his brother Richard inherited the from their father, Cadbury Brothers was small, struggling family business. By 1900, it was the largest British chocolate maker, with an annual turnover of £1 million.
In 1969 Cadbury and Schweppes agreed to merge. Each company was strong in its market, Schweppes was well regarded for its carbonated soft drinks and mixers while Cadbury was mainly known for its chocolate products. Hence, the merger in 1969 was of giants on the carbonated soft drink (CSD) and confectionary (Cadbury) market reflecting their primary lines of business.
Today, Cadbury Schweppes has the largest share of the global confectionary market and a strong regional presence with carbonated soft drinks in North America.
Cadbury-Schweppes has established a formidable presence in the US market by dint of acquisition after acquisition.
In 1995, it had bought the company Dr Pepper/7Up and acquired the confectionary from Adams in 2002.
Outside of the carbonated soft drinks market Cadbury Schweppes acquired Snapple beverages in 2000. In 2005, Cadbury Schweppes has over $11 billion revenue and a stock market valuation over $21 billion.
In 2004, Cadbury Schweppes had a combined 14.4 percent share of the carbonated soft drinks market in the United States.
In 2008 the two companies split, each becoming a separate corporation. The company’s beverages remained with Schweppes while the chocolate and candy remained with Cadbury.
The history of Cadbury Schweppes
