C&C Group Completes Acquisition of Wallaces Express

GLASGOW, Scotland, March 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

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.

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, said:

"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.

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

Brian Calder, Managing Director of Wallaces Express, said:

"Having entered into the partnership with C&C Group last year, I am pleased for our staff and customers that we have been able to take this to the next stage.  We look forward to continuing to provide an unbeatable service to our customers as part of C&C Group."

Notes  to  Editors:

About  C&C  Group  plc

C&C Group plc is a manufacturer, marketer and distributor of branded cider and beer. The Group manufactures Bulmers, the leading Irish cider brand, Magners, the premium international cider brand, Gaymers cider and the Shepton Mallet Cider Mill range of English 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's Irish wholesaling subsidiary, Gleeson Group, manufactures Tipperary Water and Finches soft drinks. The Group also distributes a number of beer brands in the Scottish, Irish and Northern Irish markets.  http://www.candcgroupplc.ie

About  Wallaces  Express

Wallaces Express is Scotland's largest independent wines and spirits wholesaler supplying the licensed trade throughout much of central and south west Scotland, the Borders and Cumbria, as well as the Inverness and the Aberdeen areas. Employing 296 staff, the business was established in Ayr in 1875 as a retailer and then evolved in the mid 1980s into a drinks wholesaler. Wallaces Express is a complete supplier to the licensed on-trade, including wines and spirits, soft drinks, packaged and draught beer, glassware and snacks, with six distribution depots in Scotland (Irvine, Coatbridge, Dumfries, Lanark, Kintore and Inverness). http://www.wallacesexpress.com