C&C Group Acquires Stake in Scottish Wine and Spirits Wholesaler
C&C Group, the cider and beer producer, has strengthened its position in the Scottish on-trade market by acquiring a 50% equity stake in Wallaces of Ayr (trading as Wallaces Express), Scotland’s largest wines and spirits wholesaler. Although Wallaces Express will continue to be run independently, it will work alongside C&C Group to deliver a full portfolio offering to the Scottish on-trade.
The deal is “consistent with our ambition of developing a multi-beverage platform in the Scottish drinks market,” says Kenny Neison, group chief financial officer of C&C Group. “Although Wallaces Express will be run independently from our beer business, we will seek opportunities to take advantage of cross-selling for customers, particularly in wines and spirits. This partnership between two great drinks businesses will provide our customers with a one stop shop for all their alcoholic and soft drinks needs.”
C&C Group manufactures Bulmers, the leading Irish cider brand, Magners, the premium international cider brand, the Gaymer Cider Company range of branded and private label ciders, and the Tennent’s beer brand. C&C Group also owns Woodchuck and Hornsby’s, two of the leading craft cider brands in the United States. The group also distributes a number of beer brands in the Scottish, Irish and Northern Irish markets, primarily for Anheuser-Busch InBev.
