Two of the UK on‑trade’s most respected wine and drinks businesses, Matthew Clark and Bibendum, are being brought together to form a single integrated route‑to‑market proposition – Matthew Clark Bibendum (MCB).
The owner of both, C&C Group, described the integration as part of its continued investment in strengthening its wine business, ensuring that it is ‘agile and well positioned to support customers operating in an evolving and highly competitive market’.
“The move brings together the scale, service and value that Matthew Clark is renowned for with Bibendum’s industry‑leading wine expertise, leadership and premium portfolio, creating a significantly enhanced offer for customers across the UK hospitality sector,” said C&C.
This ‘simpler, more powerful proposition’ will create a ‘broader, compelling’ drinks range, brought together into a single master list for all MCB customers.
This list, said C&C, will be under the care of an aligned specialist team based throughout the country, removing duplication and simplifying engagement, with dedicated wine specialists and teams in all territories to enable growth.
C&C Group England and Wales sales director Rob Sandall said: “Bringing Matthew Clark and Bibendum together is a confident step forward for our customer proposition by simplifying how we operate, removing unnecessary duplication and unlocking the full potential of our range, expertise and scale.
“At a time when hospitality is under real pressure, our focus is on delivering value, quality and service, and on building a strong, sustainable business for the long term.
“MCB will be a true partner for customers, and our team of passionate, experienced specialists will be on hand to help them grow and navigate ever-changing consumer needs with a range ready to meet every occasion.”
On the supply side, by removing internal barriers and aligning teams, the combined business promises to create ‘clearer routes to market, deeper collaboration and stronger, more effective partnerships’.
Said C&C: “For wine producers and brand partners across spirits, beer and cider and soft drinks, Matthew Clark Bibendum will offer a full‑market view and access to the widest customer opportunity in the UK on‑trade, supported by a portfolio shaped for the evolving needs of modern hospitality.”
C&C group director of Commercial Procurement Gillian Murray said: “Through MCB, our partners will benefit from access to the widest customer opportunity in the UK as part of a range designed for the challenges of the hospitality landscape.
“The creation of MCB strengthens our position and our focus lies in growing the business while delivering the best possible service to our customers.
“The enhanced new range coupled with our experienced team brings an exciting offering to our suppliers and customers and we are looking forward to the opportunities that lie ahead.”
During transition to this new arrangement, Matthew Clark and Bibendum customers will continue to be served through the separate routes to market, with the MCB proposition likely to be fully implemented during the summer.
In Scotland, most of C&C’s customers are already served through the distribution arm of Tennent’s.
“As part of a broader program of simplification and improvement across the business, any Scottish customers currently served through Matthew Clark will transition to be served by Tennent’s,” added a company spokesperson.
