BREWER Molson Coors has announced that it is handing over the free-trade distribution of its brands in Scotland to wholesaler Matthew Clark.
The Carling owner said it will “cease to service the Scottish free on-trade” from September 27 following a hand-over period with Matthew Clark, which it said will become the “major distributor” of Coors products to independent pubs, clubs, hotels and bars in Scotland; national accounts north of the border will be “unaffected”, it said.
Molson Coors said its existing agreement to directly supply pub group and wholesaler Belhaven will run alongside its new partnership with Matthew Clark, meaning Belhaven-supplied accounts will also be “unaffected”.
Keith Fagan, commercial director for Molson Coors in Scotland, the partnership will offer on-trade customers a service that “better suits the Scottish market”.
“This partnership will first and foremost improve our customer offer in the Scottish free on-trade,” he said.
“Matthew Clark is a big player in the Scottish on-trade – they understand the on-trade and the needs of our customers. We plan to build on the momentum we have created in Scotland over the last few years through the partnership with Matthew Clark and our existing agreement with Belhaven.”
Des Gallagher, managing director of Matthew Clark in Scotland, said Molson Coors’ portfolio of brands, which includes Carling, Cobra and Doom Bar, will “enhance the choice we can offer our customers”.
“We share the same customer-led vision and we very much look forward to working with the Molson Coors team, helping them to increase their brand presence in Scotland,” he said.
