FDBusiness.com

Beer and cider producer C&C Group has acquired the remaining 50% stake in Wallaces Express, Scotland’s largest wines and spirits wholesaler, in a move designed to offer enhanced service and increased value for the independent on-trade across Scotland. The move to acquire the business outright follows C&C Group’s purchase of a 50% stake in the business in March 2013. The acquisition is consistent with C&C’s strategy to develop a multi-beverage operating model in Scotland.

Wallaces Express will be branded as Wallaces TCB and the new business will seek even more opportunities to deliver an outstanding full portfolio offering to the Scottish independent on-trade, providing ongoing support to their customers across Scotland.

John Gilligan, managing director of Tennent Caledonian Breweries, which is part of C&C Group, says: “Since taking a 50% stake in Wallaces Express a year ago, we have worked to provide our customers with a one stop shop for all their alcoholic and soft drinks needs as part of our strategy of developing a multi-beverage platform in the Scottish drinks market. Our decision to acquire the business outright represents further investment by C&C in Scotland and is the latest stage of our plans to put customers at the heart of our support for the independent on-trade.”

He adds: “We plan to grow the business further, finding more opportunities for cross-selling to our customers, particularly in wines and spirits and soft drinks.”