Food and drinks group Cantrell & Cochrane said today it was planning to seek a listing on the Irish and London stock exchanges this summer.
The listing will be the biggest in Ireland since the Eircom flotation in 1998.
The company, which produces Bulmers cider, Ballygowan mineral water and Tayto crisps, said it would offer shares to both institutional and retail investors.
"We are confident. We believe the time is right now. We believe the market is looking for defensive stocks with strong growth and that's precisely what C&C offers," chief executive Mr Maurice Pratt said today.
C&C had revenues of €750 million in the year to end-August 2001, up from €669.5 million in 2000, and earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation of €147.5 million, up from €128.4 million.
The company has debt of €800 million, stemming from a management-backed buyout three years ago.
In 1999, the Group expanded into the food industry with the acquisition of Tayto.
More recently the Group bought out Findlater (Wine Merchants) Ltd pushing the companies share in the wine market to 19 per cent.