C&C Group acquires minority stake in Innis & Gunn

C&C Group has made an investment in Innis & Gunn, taking an 8% equity stake in the Scottish craft brewer.

Through the partnership, C&C Group will sell and distribute Innis & Gunn’s range of craft beers across the on-trade in the UK and Ireland, utilising its position as one the UK’s largest independent drinks distributors.

The agreement builds upon the two companies’ existing long-term manufacturing partnership, which began in 2010. As part of a renewed deal, the Scottish firm’s beers will continue to be produced and packed at C&C’s Wellpark Brewery in Glasgow, as well as its own brewery in Perth.

As an equity partner, C&C Group says it will use its platform to increase Innis & Gunn’s brand presence and investment in England, as well as seek to collaborate in new international markets.

Under the terms of the agreement, C&C Group says it will increase distribution and availability in the on-trade, wholesale and free-trade channels, through its businesses Matthew Clark and Bulmers Ireland.

Through the partnership, the companies have put it place a long-term incentive scheme, which will see a number of additional shares become available to C&C Group based on performance targets being met.

Dougal Gunn Sharp, founder of Innis & Gunn, said: “C&C’s strength in the on-trade across the whole of the UK and Ireland, and our long-term relationship, means we have solid foundations from which to build. C&C is the right partner with the right platform to help us accelerate our growth into these channels and seek to replicate the success the brand has enjoyed in Scotland.”

Sharp added that the new manufacturing agreement enables Innis & Gunn to build its Edinburgh Brewery when there is less uncertainty caused by the current Covid-19 pandemic.

Kenny Gray, Scotland managing director at Tennent’s (owned by C&C Group), said: “This new partnership with Innis & Gunn reflects well on our brand distribution model and it is exciting to welcome them into our portfolio.”