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Irn Bru secrets to be passed on | Irn Bru secrets to be passed on |
(1 day later) | |
The chairman of the drinks firm AG Barr is finally standing down after more than 48 years with the company. | |
Robin Barr, 71, will formally announce his retirement at the company's AGM. | Robin Barr, 71, will formally announce his retirement at the company's AGM. |
Mr Barr is one of only two people in the world who knows the secret recipe for the best-selling Irn Bru drink and the two never travel on the same plane. | Mr Barr is one of only two people in the world who knows the secret recipe for the best-selling Irn Bru drink and the two never travel on the same plane. |
Once a month the essences for the drink are personally mixed by Robin Barr in a sealed room at the company's headquarters in Cumbernauld. | Once a month the essences for the drink are personally mixed by Robin Barr in a sealed room at the company's headquarters in Cumbernauld. |
The 32 different ingredients are combined in a huge vat, which mixes 8,000 litres at a time. | The 32 different ingredients are combined in a huge vat, which mixes 8,000 litres at a time. |
The recipe was discovered by Robin Barr's great grandfather in 1901 and has not changed in 108 years. | The recipe was discovered by Robin Barr's great grandfather in 1901 and has not changed in 108 years. |
Only one other unnamed person shares the secret but the formula has been written down and is stored in a bank vault somewhere in Scotland. | Only one other unnamed person shares the secret but the formula has been written down and is stored in a bank vault somewhere in Scotland. |
Even after he steps down as chairman, Robin Barr intends to continue his monthly visit to the Cumbernauld plant to mix the recipe. | Even after he steps down as chairman, Robin Barr intends to continue his monthly visit to the Cumbernauld plant to mix the recipe. |
However he said he would eventually pass on the secret to his daughter, Julie, who is the company secretary, and she will become the mixer. | However he said he would eventually pass on the secret to his daughter, Julie, who is the company secretary, and she will become the mixer. |
Barr's soft drink business was founded in 1875 by Robert Barr from Falkirk and a family member has led the company for 135 years. That will end when Robin steps down. | |
Robin Barr thinks little will change with his departure because the current chief executive, Roger White, has been effectively running the business for the past five years. | Robin Barr thinks little will change with his departure because the current chief executive, Roger White, has been effectively running the business for the past five years. |
Irn Bru is AG Barr's main brand and remains Scotland's most popular fizzy drink with the equivalent of 12 cans of Irn Bru consumed every second. | Irn Bru is AG Barr's main brand and remains Scotland's most popular fizzy drink with the equivalent of 12 cans of Irn Bru consumed every second. |
The company also produces brands such as Tizer, Orangina and Strathmore water. | The company also produces brands such as Tizer, Orangina and Strathmore water. |
The fizzy drink sector has been constantly attacked by the health lobby for contributing to ill health. | The fizzy drink sector has been constantly attacked by the health lobby for contributing to ill health. |
Robin Barr will pass on the secrets to daughter Julie one day | |
Robin Barr has little time for this view. | Robin Barr has little time for this view. |
He said: "If people don't want to become obese by drinking full sugar Irn Bru, they should drink the diet product." | He said: "If people don't want to become obese by drinking full sugar Irn Bru, they should drink the diet product." |
The maverick and sometimes irreverent adverts have also brought the company to the attention of the Advertising Standards Authority. | The maverick and sometimes irreverent adverts have also brought the company to the attention of the Advertising Standards Authority. |
Although the 1970s slogan 'brewed in Scotland, from girders' remains one of the most enduring, others are remembered for the controversy they caused. | Although the 1970s slogan 'brewed in Scotland, from girders' remains one of the most enduring, others are remembered for the controversy they caused. |
Three years ago, Strathclyde Police complained about one advert which they felt glamorised violence but the accusation was dismissed. | Three years ago, Strathclyde Police complained about one advert which they felt glamorised violence but the accusation was dismissed. |
The most recent campaign is a spoof of High School Musical, set at the fictional Auchendookit Senior High. | The most recent campaign is a spoof of High School Musical, set at the fictional Auchendookit Senior High. |
While accepting his company has sometimes sailed close to the wind, Robin Barr said the adverts have to appeal to young customers. | While accepting his company has sometimes sailed close to the wind, Robin Barr said the adverts have to appeal to young customers. |
He said: "The consumer tends to look for edgy advertising for Irn Bru and we hope we don't disappoint them." | He said: "The consumer tends to look for edgy advertising for Irn Bru and we hope we don't disappoint them." |
Robin Barr will stand down as chairman but will retain a role as a non-executive director, and of course will keep the job as chief Irn Bru mixer. | Robin Barr will stand down as chairman but will retain a role as a non-executive director, and of course will keep the job as chief Irn Bru mixer. |
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