SUPERMARKET group Musgrave has confirmed it will acquire the assets and brand of Belfast-based drinks distributor Drinks Inc.
The drinks firm, which was set up by with Paul Camplisson in 2001, will continue to trade as a stand-alone business.
With a turnover of £66 million, the company has grown into one of Irelands’ biggest independent drinks distributors. It has a portfolio of around 1,000 spirits, wines, beers and soft drinks.
The Musgrave group includes SuperValu, Centra and Mace. It has appointed Kevin O’Leary as the firm’s new business directors, with Mr Camplisson taking on a consultancy role.
The group’s chief executive, Chris Martin described the acquisition as an excellent strategic fit for Musgrave: “The acquisition forms part of our overarching growing good business strategy to deliver long term sustainable growth and follows a £28m investment programme to open 20 additional stores and revamp 40 existing stores in Northern Ireland that was announced earlier this year. I look forward to Drinks Inc joining our expanding portfolio of successful brands and to supporting the business to bring it to the next level of growth.”
Paul Camplisson added: “Becoming part of Musgrave is a fantastic opportunity for the Drinks Inc business. In a relatively short period of time, we have firmly established ourselves as one of the largest independent drinks distributors in the market. Musgrave will enable us to provide an enhanced service to our customers and their track record of growing successful customer-focussed businesses makes this the right move for Drinks Inc.”
