After 25 years of successful partnership, Edrington UK and Beam Suntory have announced that they are to go their separate ways by ending their distribution agreement in the UK.
With effect from 31st January, 2025, Edrington UK will focus exclusively on its own portfolio of ultra-premium and leading spirits, while Beam Suntory will establish its own commercial business for the UK market.
In a joint statement, the companies stressed that Edrington UK will continue to distribute Beam Suntory brands until that date.
The companies’ ‘long and successful partnership in the UK’ evolved over time from the jointly-owned Edrington-Beam Suntory UK business – formerly Maxxium UK – into a third-party distribution partnership in 2021. During that 25-year shared history, both companies’ portfolios have seen sustained growth.
Edrington’s regional managing director for Europe, the Middle East, India, and Africa, Aristotelis Baroutsis, said: “Edrington’s strategy of focusing on ultra-premium spirits in world cities has strengthened our brands and our performance.
“The UK is our home market, and this is the right moment for us to deepen our focus on the potential for ultra-premium spirits and in particular, for our leading brand, The Macallan.”
Beam Suntory’s UK & Ireland MD, Nick Temperley – who will now lead the company’s stand-alone UK operation – said: “Firstly, my sincere thanks to the entire team at Edrington UK, with whom we have partnered so closely for so many years, for their outstanding work on our portfolio in the UK.
“It will be an absolute privilege to build the new Beam Suntory UK business. We have strong premium brands and we intend to create a diverse, world-class team anchored in London with capabilities in Scotland and across the country.
“We see significant potential in the UK,” he added. “It is a very large and sophisticated spirits market and home to many of the world’s best retailers, bars and restaurants. We look forward to partnering with them from February next year.”
Edrington UK MD Mark Riley commented: “I am excited at the opportunity to shape our UK business focused exclusively on opportunities for Edrington’s ultra-premium and leading spirits.
“The Edrington UK team has delivered strong results for Beam Suntory’s portfolio and we are proud to represent these excellent brands in the UK until next February,” added Riley.
