Landmark Wholesale has launched an official on-trade arm to its business and six new on-trade members, boosting turnover to more than £3bn.
The move will give Landmark members access to a “fully-fledged wet offering and a range of own-brand licensed products,” said managing director of the group, Martin Williams.
The new recruits have come from National Drinks Distributors Group (NDD), a buying group for on-trade specialists which previously had 25 members.
“Their six best members have come to us because we can offer them a more aggressive supplier package”, said Williams, adding that suppliers invest differently in SKUs for retail and on-trade. “With the new division, we can offer the best of both worlds.”
Family spirit to stay strong
The new additions bump Landmark’s members up to 42, with more announced in the pipeline, but Williams asserts that the ‘family spirit’ of the group will stay strong.
“While there’s a risk of losing intimacy when you expand in size, we’ve responded by increasing our team – we’ve budgeted for three new staff.”
Ultimately, the on-trade branch helps Landmark to offer members and their retail and catering customers a total solution. “Diversification is inevitable – look at Hyperama, they have a Bestway and a Booker on their door step. By offering a total solution, we’re helping these operators to compete.”
Landmark is also in discussions with a 7th new member, expected to be announced in the coming weeks. Five additional members of NDD are also reported to be leaving the group, according to an industry insider.
Landmark’s six new on-trade members are:
Libra Drinks Wholesale – Libra Drinks is Nottingham’s biggest independent on-trade wholesaler, delivering to pubs, clubs, restaurants, hotels and off-licences across the East Midlands.
Edwards Beer & Minerals – a family-run one-stop drinks wholesaler operating within a 30 mile radius of Leighton Buzzard.
Glamorgan Beer Co – one of Wales’ leading independent family-run drinks wholesalers, specialising in the beers, wines, spirits and soft drinks. They hold the largest cask ale portfolio in Wales.
Hills Prospect – a family run Business in London’s East End. They stock a comprehensive range of products including soft drinks, keg lagers, beer and ciders. They operate within the M25.
Jack Sullivan – experts in premium-packaged beers, spirits and traditional pub markets. Sullivan operates within a 35 mile radius of Swansea.
Middleton Wholesale – boasts a portfolio of more than 1,500 products. Cask ales are a specialty with a purpose-built, chilled store ensuring that products reach customers in peak condition.
Image caption: back left, Martin Williams, managing director; back right: John Searle, trading director; front left, Andrew Thewlis, finance director; front right, Chris Doyle, business development director.
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