Scottish bars, pubs and hotels can now access a free cross-industry platform and get permission from their brewers to destroy spoilt beer and cider following the launch of www.ReturnYourBeer.co.uk by the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA). It is estimated that up to 70 million pints of British beer from UK pubs will have to be destroyed. Being able to reclaim excise duty on this beer will be worth tens of millions of pounds to the on-trade.
The cross-industry platform enables participating brewers, who include Budweiser Brewing Group UK&I, Heineken, Molson Coors, Innis & Gunn, Carlsberg, Asahi and Marstons, C&C (but not Tennent’s or Belhaven) to manage the safe destruction of their brands in pubs and for the millions of pounds in excise duty from unsalable beer to be reclaimed and the appropriate and agreed recompense passed back to licensees.
Licensees with spoilt beer and cider in their cellars can access the platform by visiting www.ReturnYourBeer.co.uk via mobile, tablet or computer and creating a profile. Once their profile has been created they can follow guidance and instructions on the platform to seek permission from the brand owner to destroy their beer and cider in an environmentally friendly manner in compliance with local water authorities.
Licensees can also record destruction through the platform enabling duty to be claimed back by brewers, who will then agree the means of reimbursing the customer
By using the platform, businesses such as pubs, hotels, bars and clubs will be able to destroy draught beer and cider that has become spoilt as a result of the COVID-19 lockdown and free up space for fresh deliveries, enabling them to restock and get cellars ready for re-opening.
More brewers are expected to join the platform, making it even easier for licensees to help clear their cellars and re-stock in preparation for re-opening.
Originally created and developed as a concept by Budweiser Brewing Group UK&I, the site has been handed over and further developed as a wider industry platform by a BBPA steering group composed of brewers and pub operators.
From launch, the site will be administered on behalf of the sector by the British Beer & Pub Association. Whilst the site has been developed for broad use across the sector, licensees who run a Managed or Leased & Tenanted pub are reminded of the need to check with their pub operator first before attempting to use the site to clarify whether an alternative approach is preferred.
Emma McClarkin, Chief Executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, said, “We’re encouraging businesses with spoilt beer they need to destroy to visit www.ReturnYourBeer.co.uk and pre-register. The platform will provide guidance and instructions necessary to destroy beer, as well as crucially recording that destruction to enable duty to be claimed back on it. We estimate this could be worth tens of millions of pounds of credit flowing back to pubs and the wider on-trade. Crucial at this hugely challenging time.
“This cross-industry platform is free to use and should help businesses of all shapes and sizes who serve draught beer as they re-stock and re-fresh ahead of re-opening.”
As duty is already paid by the brewer on the beer held in pubs, HMRC demand transparency over the process of disposal and the volumes of beer involved before brewers can reclaim the duty on unsold stock and re-credit customers. This web tool enables licensees to securely record the volumes of beer in full and broached (part-sold) containers held in their cellars and communicate these to brewers in a cost effective way.
What do licencees have to do ?
Pre-register via the returnyourbeer.co.uk website to enable brewers to begin the process of verification required before beer disposal can be authorised.
Once verification is agreed licensees will be taken through a step by step process to safely record volumes of beer disposed of according to BBPA-endorsed processes.
HMRC have agreed with BBPA that photographic evidence supplied by the licensees will be acceptable and the website enables the publican to upload these images to verify the volumes of stock destroyed and the process undertaken to conform with Environment Agency and local Water company consents.
What will the brewers do with this data ?
The data will be cross-checked with the brewery to ensure the volumes correspond with volumes of beer sold to customers. The data will remain confidential to the brewers involved and will only be used by the brewers to calculate duty reclaims from HMRC (as agreed) and to enable either a re-credit of the duty amount or like-for-like replacement of stock at no additional cost depending on the individual brewer policy.
How many brewers brands are included within the scheme ?
All of the top selling beer brand owners are supporting this initiative on launch and along with some regional brewers, we are envisaging that brewers producing c.90% of unsold draught beer remaining in pubs will be part of the BBPA scheme. The benefit of the website will be especially felt by outlets and pub businesses with multiple lines of different brewers’ brands held in their cellars as it provides a single point of entry of data aimed at a number of suppliers.
Why can’t the beer just be poured down the drains or returned to the Breweries ?
The beer volumes involved would present challenges for the water supply if the disposal is not carefully managed in a phased and controlled way. The weight of full containers in cellars present a significant manual handling risk, as well as particular logistical and safety challenge during this period. Brewers would therefore prefer the kegs and casks to be emptied prior to their collection where possible.
Who is paying for the website ?
The start-up costs and ongoing maintenance of returnyourbeer.co.uk are being met by the participating brewers.
Matthew Clark and Bibendum have issued a joint statement to re-assure Scottish licensees that it is ‘business as usual’ for the companies after their acquisition by C&C.
The statement revealed that none of the businesses entered administration and that as well as all contracts being upheld, and all outstanding supplier payments being made, licensees with scheduled retrospective discount payments will see the payments honoured.
James Lousada, Commercial Director of Matthew Clark and Bibendum said, “We would like to apologise for the impact on our customers and suppliers over these past weeks and to reassure that we are working closely with partners across all categories to bring stock levels and service back to the excellent standards we hold ourselves to.
“We are all incredibly proud of our business, our priority is to get our service back on track as quickly as possible. On behalf of our team across the country, thank you to all of our customers and suppliers for your patience and support.”
Andrea Pozzi, C&C Group COO said, “We are thrilled to have acquired these great businesses, and I would like to assure you that, with the support of C&C Group plc, the teams are working around the clock to not only get our service back on track, but to build a stronger business for the future.”
C&C Group PLC bought Matthew Clark (Holdings) Ltd and Bibendum PLB from administrators PwC earlier this month. The deal saw the group pick up the two wholesalers for 1p having agreed to pay back debt of around £100m, facilitated by a loan from AB InBev. Conviviality has said that all trade creditors of its Conviviality Direct business – of which Matthew Clark and Bibendum is a part – would be “paid in full” as a result of the deal with C&C. The pre-pack deal also included Catalyst, Peppermint, Elastic and Walker & Wodehouse.
The move comes following the news that Conviviality had failed to secure additional funding of £125m that was needed to pay HMRC, suppliers and provide working capital.
Conviviality bought Bibendum for £60m in May 2016 and prior to that had paid around £400m for Matthew Clark which employs 140 people in Scotland.
Matthew Clark customer Iain Pert of PG Taverns told DRAM, “I’m delighted that someone has bought Matthew Clark and people are keeping their jobs. I haven’t dealt with C&C before but I don’t think about buying wine from Tennent’s. So I think it’s good move for them too. Hopefully normal service will resume as soon as possible.”
Certainly the move brings a new dynamic to the wholesale market in Scotland. Ian Cumming, Commercial Director for Inverarity Morton said, “The trade has changed a lot over the years, and this is certainly going to be a big change. As far as we are concerned we will keep doing what we do well and strive to continually improve our offering. I’ve no doubt this will bring opportunities for us as well as some obvious threats. We’re family run since 1945 and we have always prided ourselves on providing a quality service and unparalleled range, and we will continue to concentrate on that.”
So what now for licensees who trade with Matthew Clark? In the short term business should return almost to normal. A spokesman for Molson Coors, who currently use Matthew Clark as a route-to-market in Scotland said, “We are working with the new owners of Matthew Clark directly and are focused on making sure that the availability of our brands and service to our joint customers is the first priority. We will be in a position to update more over the course of the next few weeks.”
Licensees that have retro deals due to pay out in May will have to wait and see if C&C honours the commitment,. Those that have outstanding debts owed to Matthew Clark will now owe that money to the administrators.
The next six months will certainly be interesting as C&C re-organise and integrate the Matthew Clark and Bibendum operations with its own. It was partly the failure of Conviviality to integrate its businesses smoothly that led to its cash crisis.
Stephen Glancey (pictured) wrote to all employees following the deal he said, “Matthew Clark and Bibendum are also fundamentally strong businesses and under proper stewardship we will have a great future together.” And in a nice touch he went on to say, “…as a thank you for your efforts over the last few weeks the company will be distributing £40 vouchers for you and your family to enjoy at any casual dining Group restaurant.”
Another deal done this month has been the sale of Accolade, one of Australia’s top wine producers and owner of the Hardys and Banrock Station labels, by CHAMP Private Equity to the Carlyle Group. Coincidentally it was Champ that sold Matthew Clark to Conviviality.
The Scottish Government has won its five-year fight to bring in Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) to Scotland, which will make it the first country in Europe to do so. The top court in the land, the UK Supreme Court, ruled that Scotland can set a minimum price for alcohol, rejecting a challenge by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA).
In a unanimous judgment, seven Supreme Court judges said the proposed legislation did not breach European Union law. The judges ruled the measure was a “proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim”.
Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted, “Absolutely delighted that minimum pricing has been upheld by the Supreme Court. This has been a long road – and no doubt the policy will continue to have its critics – but it is a bold and necessary move to improve public health.”
The proposed MUP of 50p per unit of alcohol now looks likely to be introduced as early as next April.
The Scotch Whisky Association, which had fought the legislation for five years on behalf of its members, said it accepted the Supreme Court’s ruling. Karen Betts, Scotch Whisky Association chief executive, said, “We accept the Supreme Court’s ruling on minimum unit pricing (MUP) of alcohol in Scotland. Looking ahead, the Scotch Whisky industry will continue to work in partnership with the government and the voluntary sector to promote responsible drinking and to tackle alcohol-related harm.”
Paul Bartlett, Group Corporate Relations Director, Tennent’s owners, C&C Group, which supported MUP commented, “C&C Group plc has been a strong and vocal supporter of Minimum Unit Pricing since it was first proposed in 2011. We welcome today’s landmark decision. It is the right move to make; a progressive step forward in tackling the problems of alcohol misuse in Scotland and we congratulate the Scottish Government on its perseverance.”
He continued, “Although the majority of Scots enjoy alcohol responsibly, we are concerned about the availability of strong, cheap alcohol and its correlation with harmful drinking that causes misery across Scotland. As part of a package of measures, Minimum Unit Pricing will help to address this.
“Now that the Supreme Court have made their ruling, we urge the industry to get behind the decision. We’ll be working with the Scottish Government and our customers over the coming months to support the successful introduction of Minimum Unit Pricing.”
Paul Waterson, Chief Executive of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association, who also supported Minimum Unit Pricing commented, “The relationship between low prices and increased consumption is obvious. Supermarkets strategy of using alcohol as a loss leader, very often charging prices cheaper than water, which is totally irresponsible, is a major factor in causing much of the alcohol abuse we see in Scotland today. Minimum pricing will be a major element in eradicating these problems.”
“Cheap priced alcohol has turned Scotland into a nation of stay at home drinkers. 72% of total alcohol sales in Scotland are off sales, 80% of this total is sold by supermarkets. When people drink in uncontrolled environments alcohol related problems increase significantly.”
He concluded, “Our market needed intervention to bring back price stability. The market could not correct itself – it needed robust government action. The only efficient way of doing that is by minimum pricing. We applaud the Scottish Government for their policy .”
“Already this year we have seen in the run up to Christmas many television adverts advertising irresponsible supermarket deals on alcohol which will seduce people into drinking more than they would normally. Thanks to this legislation loss leading of alcohol at child friendly prices will become a thing of the past.”
Admiral Taverns has been acquired by Tennent’s owner C&C in partnership with Proprium Capital Partners and Admiral’s management team. The value of the deal to buy the company, which has 845 pubs in its estate (mainly in England and Wales), has not been revealed but C&C has revealed it made an equity investment of £37m for 47% of the issued capital with Admiral now be accounted for as an associate of C&C. The remaining equity is provided by Proprium Capital Partners and Admiral management.
The deal will give the brewer a significant slice of the market in England with the investment delivering, say the company, “significant economic and route-to-market benefit to its GB businesses.”
Commenting on the investment, Stephen Glancey, C&C CEO, said, “The local pub remains at the heart of many suburban and city communities – often the hub of local activity and their economic and social contribution is immeasurable. C&C has a long and successful track-record of supplying and providing financial support to local pubs within the independent free-trade in Scotland and Ireland.
“In the UK, the tenanted pub model is a key component of the pub industry. When well invested, and with the right operator and product range, it can provide excellent sustainable returns to all participants.”
He concluded, “For C&C, this is an attractive opportunity to create a new long term investment in the important on-trade channel, without taking significant financial and operational risk. The investment will provide our brands with improved distribution in some of the best community pubs across the UK, with an opportunity to enhance on-trade penetration further over time.”
In Admiral’s latest audited accounts for the 52 weeks ended 28 May 2016, the group had underlying EBITDA of £25.2 million and an underlying EBITDA margin of 36.2%. As at 28 May 2016, the gross assets of the Admiral business were £231.8m and the gross property assets were valued at £244.3m.
The transaction is subject to FCA approval only and is expected to complete by the end of November 2017.
Tennent’s owners C&C Group, in their results to the 28th February 2017, have revealed that net revenues decreased 6.9% to €559.5m, mainly due to declines in wholesale and US markets, and said that the devaluation of sterling after the Brexit vote had cost the company €8 million (£6.9m). Despite operating profit coming in at €95m, in line with last year, and growing in the second half, the company reported a pre-tax loss of €62.9m compared to a profit of €56.3m, due to write-downs.
However the company reported volume growth in core brands (Bulmers, Magners, Tennent’s) of +2.6% with its Premium and Craft portfolio growing rapidly up +60%. Stephen Glancey, C&C Group CEO, commented, “FY2017 has been a period of significant activity for the Group. While trading remained tough, we invested in and delivered volume growth across our core brands; completed a major rationalisation of our production foot print; drove efficiencies across the business; continued to grow our Premium portfolio and Export business; and secured an important new long-term distribution arrangement with AB InBev. After this year of consolidation, we are in materially better shape to meet the ongoing challenges and opportunities within our industry.”
He revealed that the double-digit volume increase behind the Magners brand in the UK had provided the right foundation to extend C&C’s distribution partnership with AB InBev. Glancey said, “The rationale for expanding the relationship is compelling for both parties, allowing each other to play to our route to market strengths, backed by a combined high quality beer & cider portfolio. This partnership has the potential to drive volume and value in Magners for years to come as the category rationalises and distribution synergies are delivered.”
He also said that further progress had been made in growing the company’s premium and craft portfolio commenting, “ Heverlee, our authentic Belgian lager, grew +41% to over 20kHL and is now the fastest growing World beer in Scotland and the No.#1 import lager in Northern Ireland. We launched Pabst into the Millennial market in GB and Menabrea, our authentic Italian imported lager, secured UK-wide listings with major supermarket and casual dining groups. Our investment partnerships with some of the most exciting craft breweries across the UK and Ireland, such as Five Lamps in Dublin, Whitewater in Northern Ireland and Drygate in Glasgow, all had a good year.”
As to the coming year Glancey remarked, “ FY2018 has started in line with expectations but we do remain cautious given the outlook for the consumer across our markets. Political uncertainty continues into the current year making forward predictions on trading patterns and consumer behaviour particularly challenging. However, our core brands of Bulmers, Magners and Tennent’s are well positioned to convert their volume momentum in FY2017 into revenue and value growth in FY2018.”
Glancey concluded, “C&C is a resilient business with strong local brands that have stood the test of time and a growing Premium and Craft portfolio. We are confident that the combination of our strong market positions, well- invested brands, flexible low cost production assets and expanded partnership arrangements will deliver value for shareholders over the longer term.”
Tennent’s owners C&C Group, in their results to the 28th February 2017, have revealed that net revenues decreased 6.9% to €559.5m, mainly due to declines in wholesale and US markets, and said that the devaluation of sterling after the Brexit vote had cost the company €8 million (£6.9m). Despite operating profit coming in at €95m, in line with last year, and growing in the second half, the company reported a pre-tax loss of €62.9m compared to a profit of €56.3m, due to write-downs.
However the company reported volume growth in core brands (Bulmers, Magners, Tennent’s) of +2.6% with its Premium and Craft portfolio growing rapidly up +60%. Stephen Glancey, C&C Group CEO, commented, “FY2017 has been a period of significant activity for the Group. While trading remained tough, we invested in and delivered volume growth across our core brands; completed a major rationalisation of our production foot print; drove efficiencies across the business; continued to grow our Premium portfolio and Export business; and secured an important new long-term distribution arrangement with AB InBev. After this year of consolidation, we are in materially better shape to meet the ongoing challenges and opportunities within our industry.”
He revealed that the double-digit volume increase behind the Magners brand in the UK had provided the right foundation to extend C&C’s distribution partnership with AB InBev. Glancey said, “The rationale for expanding the relationship is compelling for both parties, allowing each other to play to our route to market strengths, backed by a combined high quality beer & cider portfolio. This partnership has the potential to drive volume and value in Magners for years to come as the category rationalises and distribution synergies are delivered.”
He also said that further progress had been made in growing the company’s premium and craft portfolio commenting, “Heverlee, our authentic Belgian lager, grew +41% to over 20kHL and is now the fastest growing World beer in Scotland and the No.#1 import lager in Northern Ireland. We launched Pabst into the Millennial market in GB and Menabrea, our authentic Italian imported lager, secured UK-wide listings with major supermarket and casual dining groups. Our investment partnerships with some of the most exciting craft breweries across the UK and Ireland, such as Five Lamps in Dublin, Whitewater in Northern Ireland and Drygate in Glasgow, all had a good year.”
As to the coming year Glancey remarked, “ FY2018 has started in line with expectations but we do remain cautious given the outlook for the consumer across our markets. Political uncertainty continues into the current year making forward predictions on trading patterns and consumer behaviour particularly challenging. However, our core brands of Bulmers, Magners and Tennent’s are well positioned to convert their volume momentum in FY2017 into revenue and value growth in FY2018.”
Glancey concluded, “C&C is a resilient business with strong local brands that have stood the test of time and a growing Premium and Craft portfolio. We are confident that the combination of our strong market positions, well- invested brands, flexible low cost production assets and expanded partnership arrangements will deliver value for shareholders over the longer term.”
Steve Annand has been appointed as the new Sales Director at Inverarity Morton (IM). Annand will succeed Donald Campbell who revealed he was stepping down at the end of last year.
Annand, 39, who most recently has been running his own drinks consultancy Glasshouse Drinks, was formerly C&C’s Head of On Trade Sales (GB) for Magners Irish Cider and immediately prior to that he was Commercial Managing Director of Tennent’s. He will join on 1st March.
IM managing director Stephen Russell, comments, “Steve’s CV is very impressive: here’s a man who has worked his way to the top of the sales ladder for several major drinks corporations in just over a decade; he then puts all his acquired skills and experience into consulting on brand development and sales and marketing strategies for emerging and established drinks producers.
“He knows the on-trade in Scotland, and the UK, like the back of his hand, which is hugely important for a business like us where on-trade sales are 95% of our business. He has also demonstrated a very insightful understanding of the business’ position and the growth opportunities as he sees them, and what’s more he possesses real leadership qualities, which is a vital attribute when required to manage and galvanise a team of 29.”
Annand will now be responsible growing sales at Inverarity Morton, which currently has a turnover of £75m, and is Scotland’s largest independent wines and spirits merchant. It currently supplies over 3,000 on-trade outlets in Scotland. The firm is a recognised centre of excellence for wine and spirits training and picked up Best Wine and Spirits Wholesaler of the Year at the Scottish Bar & Pub Awards in 2015 and again in 2016.
Annand comments, “I am delighted to be joining Inverarity Morton, a business I have always admired. It’s an independent Scottish company with a fantastic reputation for customer service, an unrivalled portfolio of wines and spirits and the capability to meet the growing customer demand for a diverse range of products across every category. I am looking forward to getting started and driving the business to the next level”.
Tennents owner C&C have just introduced American based Pabst Blue Ribbon beer to the UK and Ireland. The beer, which was founded in Milwaukee in 1844, has an ABV of 4.6% and markets itself in a low-key style. It is now available in 30-litre draught kegs and 355ml format cans and 355ml glass bottles. It is owned and produced by America’s largest independent brewery and is multi-award winning for its taste.
Paul Condron, Tennent Caledonian Breweries Ltd said,“PBR is an American classic – but it’s never felt more current than now. Bringing a taste of the States to the UK and Ireland is exciting, particularly when it’s a brand that’s so iconic and individualistic.” He continued, “From a business perspective, there’s a choice of formats for customers, and the benefit of some very different and engaging marketing that’s yielded such great results in Pabst’s home country.”
There are also plans to re-introduce Schlitz, a Pabst-owned brand that enjoyed great success during the 1980s.
Andrea Pozzi has been appointed Managing Director of Tennent Caledonian Breweries following the news that Alastair Campbell is leaving the business. Campbell, who took over as MD from Brian Calder last summer, leaves C&C next week.
Pozzi who joined C&C in 2010 has had various roles within the group the most recent being Managing Director International EMEA Region and Group Manufacturing Director. He now takes on the role of Managing Director across GB covering both the Tennent’s and C&C Brands Business Units. The decision to combine the Managing Director roles for Tennent’s and C&C Brands follows on from the integration of the respective Finance and Marketing functions over the last year.
The news comes following a raft of new appointments including that of Ewan Robertson to the role of Finance Director following Kenny Barclay’s move to Manorview, while Alan Hay took over as On Trade Sales Director from Matt Munro at the tail end of last year. The management team in Scotland also includes Paul Condron who is Marketing Director and John Gilligan who is Business Development Director.
Andrea commented, “I’m proud to take on the role of Managing Director at Tennent’s – a true Scottish icon since 1556. We’ve put in place a strong management team and a passionate and committed workforce across the Tennent’s business and I look forward to working with everyone to deliver our vision of being the foremost brewer and wholesaler serving the licensed trade in Scotland.”
Campbell was the first non-drinks related MD appointment at the company in more than 40 years and only the fourth person to hold the role since Angus Meldrum retired in October 2001.
Tennent’s owner C&C Group has admitted that the result of the EU referendum has left it ‘cautious’ on its outlook.
In a trading statement to the stockmarket, it said that the result of the referendum brought ‘uncertainty, volatility and a lack of visibility’.
C&C went on to say that its Bulmers, Magners and Tennent’s brands were strong in their core markets, and its growing export business was largely unaffected by the UK decision to leave the EU.
It did, however, admit that because almost 50% of profits denominated in Sterling and were reported in Euros, it was exposed to the translation impact of a devalued pound.
“At current levels, if sustained, currency movements have the potential to undo the earnings benefit from both cost reduction activity and the steady progress made in trading year-to-date”, the statement said.
The manufacturer said that although it had a very challenging year in 2015, the on-trade in Scotland was experiencing a more stable start to 2016. It also said that a key area of focus for the remained of 2016 was recovering some of the wholesale aspect of its business.
Tennent’s owner C&C has revealed that trading picked up in the last three months of the year in Scotland. In a trading update, the company said, “Trading in the last quarter of the year provides grounds for optimism and the Board is confident in the earnings prospects of the Group in FY17.” With regard to Scotland specifically the company stated, “general trading picked up in the last quarter as the impact of tighter drink driving legislation in December 2014 fell out of the comparatives. Share performance of the Tennent’s brand in the key Independent Free Trade channel improved in the second half of the year.”
The group will reveal its results for 2016 on 11th May but it is forecasting a Group operating profit in the region of £79.5m.
In a Capital Markets Day presentation on March 10, the company also revealed that In the On and off-trade Tennent’s remained Scotland’s favourite drink (AC Nielsen/CGA) with value sales of £369.8m, Coca-Cola is second with Smirnoff the third most popular drink with sales of £217.2m. The importance of the on-trade to the brand was highlighted in the presentation with the company revealing that two-thirds of Tennent’s volume comes from the on-trade.
The company also said that 8% of its brand volumes are now coming from boutique and speciality brands with Heverlee seeing growth of 265% over the last two years in Scotland and Ireland.
In the presentation Kenny Neison, Group Chief Financial Officer C&C suggested last year had been a “difficult year”, but said it was now behind them. Stating, we are “now in the right shape for positive run.”
Tennent Caledonian – owners of Tennent’s Lager – has announced that it is changing the trading name of its Sales and Distribution Company from Wallaces TCB to Tennent’s. The news came alongside some good tidings for the trade as the brewer also announced a 12 month price freeze for the Scottish Independent On Trade.
The company originally rebranded itself Wallaces TCB in 2014, after it bought Wallaces Express. Former Wallaces boss Brian Calder headed up the merger of the two companies, however he left last summer, with fellow director Chris Cosh following suite at the tail-end of 2015. So it has come as no real surprise to the trade that the company has decided to rebrand as Tennent’s.
Alastair Campbell, who was appointed MD of Tennent’s in summer 2015, comments, “We’ve listened to our customers and we are placing the iconic Tennent’s name back at the heart of our business. With Wallaces Express trading since 1875 and Tennent’s since 1556, we have a proud shared heritage of serving Scotland’s Independent On-Trade and we look forward to continuing this.”
He continued, “We understand the challenges Scotland’s pubs, club, hotels and restaurants are facing and, while other brewers have announced price increases to the trade, we are pleased to freeze the Wholesale List Price of our leading draught brands including Tennent’s Lager, Caledonia Best, Magners Original Ice Cold Cider, Heverlee and Menabrea for the year ahead. This is further evidence of our support of the trade, allowing owners to direct greater investment into their businesses and help sustain jobs.”
“Scotland’s licenced trade is a huge part of the local economy, contributing nearly £1.5 billion in value and employing over 71,000 people. We remain resolute in our support of it. Over the past five years we’ve invested £40 million, which is more than any bank or drinks supplier has invested in the Scottish on trade. We’ll continue this in 2016 to ensure Scotland enjoys a thriving quality-led industry.”
C&C Group, owners of Tennent Caledonian Breweries, www.tennentcaledonian.com since 2009, acquired Scottish drinks wholesaler Wallaces Express in March 2014. The combined business has until today traded as Wallaces TCB and has successfully integrated the sales and logistics functions of both businesses to provide a customer focused one-stop-shop for their customers.
Molson Coors UK has gained the exclusive rights to distribute, sell and market the full Rekorderlig portfolio across the UK, Ireland and the Channel Islands after buying the rights from Chilli Marketing Brands. The price was not disclosed but Molson Coors UK, it is thought, offered 30% over the asking price.
Rekorderlig UK will operate as part of the Molson Coors UK group of businesses and its employees, around 25, will continue to lead sales and marketing operations for the Rekorderlig portfolio. The move comes only weeks after Molson Coors UK confirmed that it had added Staropramen to its portfolio.
Frederic Landtmeters, Managing Director for Molson Coors UK & Ireland commented, “Molson Coors is a recognised brand-builder with a successful track record of brand partnerships across the world. Rekorderlig has demonstrated incredible success in the cider category and we will look to invest in Rekorderlig UK and the brand to fuel incremental growth and category development.
We are committed to the ‘Beautifully Swedish’ philosophy and values of the Rekorderlig brand and want to preserve the unique culture and special appeal that the brand has with cider drinkers.”
In Scotland Matthew Clark look after Molson Coors brands but for the time being, say Molson Coors, it will be business as usual for the Rekorderlig Scottish sales team, headed up by Fiona Brown.
C&C were also said to have been interested in purchasing Rekorderlig, but only the brand, and not the UK team behind it.
Rekorderlig Cider will continue to be brewed at the cider’s family owned fourth generation brewery in Vimmerby, Sweden, where it has been brewed since its first creation in 1999.
Former travel boss Alastair Campbell has been appointed Managing Director of WallacesTCB. The new appointment has been made following the news that Brian Calder, current CEO, is leaving the company in July.
Campbell, whose last appointment was Global Brand Director/Group Executive Director of Contiki Holidays, the youth-focussed travel operator, will be the first non-drinks related MD appointment at the company in more than 40 years and only the fourth person to hold the role since Angus Meldrum retired in October 2001. Mike Lees, who came from Bass Take-home, was MD from 2001 to 2011, his role was split into two with Steve Annand becoming Commercial MD, and John Gilligan, Sales MD, before John was named as Managing Director. Following the buyout of Wallaces Express by C&C in March 2014, Brian Calder, former MD of Wallaces, was appointed Chief Executive of the new-enlarged company, and John subsequently announced his retirement last October, although he has stayed on in a part-time role.
Brian has overseen the transition of the two companies into one, the rebranding of Tennent Caledonian Breweries into WallacesTCB, and the merger of the two sales forces.
Alastair’s appointment, which has come completely out of left field, follows a recruitment process which is believed to have started in January.
Says Alastair, “I’m thrilled to take up the MD role with such an iconic Scottish business”. He continues, “Two of my career passions are building strong commercial relationships and driving business growth. I look forward to bringing these skills and working with the team to shape the latest successful chapter in the history of the Tennent’s business in supporting our customers across Scotland.”
He describes himself as an “entrepreneurial, results-driven, senior executive. And one of his former colleagues said of him, “Inspiring and a dynamic natural leader who is revered by his direct reports.”
He graduated as a Chartered Accountant before attending The Scottish Hotel School and gaining a PgDip, Tourism & Hotel Management.
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