C&C Group has acquired Scottish brewer and retailer Innis & Gunn brand from administration.
In a statement released today, Friday March 6th, the founder of Innis & Gunn, Dougal Gunn Sharp, said: “Today is a very difficult day, first and foremost for the brilliant people who have worked so hard to build Innis & Gunn over the past 23 years.
“I’m immensely proud of everything our team achieved together, creating a distinctive Scottish beer brand enjoyed by customers at home and around the world.
“I’m deeply sorry to everyone affected – particularly my colleagues who have lost their jobs and the shareholders who believed in what we were building. It’s been a bruising process for everyone.
“While this outcome is not what any of us hoped for, I’m glad the brand has found a home with C&C Group. We’ve worked closely with the team for many years and they have the scale, distribution and experience to take Innis & Gunn forward,” said Sharp.
“Despite today’s news, I remain incredibly proud of the brand, the beer and the community that grew around it. I truly hope the next chapter allows Innis & Gunn to fulfil the potential we always believed it had.”
C&C has been a small minority shareholder and a brewing partner for Innis & Gunn for a number of years.
In an explanatory note to its own investors, C&C has stated: “The Acquisition represents an attractive opportunity for the Group to further broaden its branded portfolio with a premium well-established brand.
“The integration of Innis & Gunn into the Group is expected to present a very low execution risk, with the brand being fully absorbed into the Group’s existing operational, commercial and supply chain infrastructure. As a result, the Board anticipates a rapid operational transition and minimal disruption to the business.
“The Group intends to develop the Innis & Gunn brand utilising its established production capability, routes to market, and infrastructure, leveraging existing capabilities to unlock brand value with minimal requirement for incremental overhead or capital investment.
“The Acquisition of Innis & Gunn reinforces our belief in the value of strong brands and the importance of our integrated manufacturing supply, marketing and sales business model. The Acquisition consideration is £4.5 million, funded from existing facilities.”
C&C Chief Executive Officer Roger White commented: “We have worked with Innis & Gunn for many years and whilst it’s under difficult circumstances, we are delighted to bring the brand fully into our portfolio.
“This is a compelling and highly synergistic opportunity to save a well-loved brand for which we currently brew most of the product. Our existing brewing and route-to-market platform allows us to integrate the brand effectively and quickly, supporting the ongoing supply of products to customers and consumers.
“We expect this Acquisition to make a small positive contribution to our overall financial performance in FY27.”
