Two breweries become one, as Carlsberg Marston's Brewing Company
The new company unites two historic brewers
Carlsberg UK and Marston’s PLC have completed the transaction to create a new beer company, Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company (CMBC). The new company unites two historic brewers with shared values, history and heritage in brewing, creating something better suited to customer needs and with a sustainable future in UK brewing. This will create significant value for customers, beer-drinkers in the UK and employees.
Carlsberg Marston'S Brewing Company
CMBC offers customers an enviable portfolio of lagers, ales and craft beer brands from the best of two master brewing teams, plus beers under license from valued partners. These include lagers such as Carlsberg Danish Pilsner, Carlsberg Expørt and Poretti; premium cask and packaged ales, including Hobgoblin, Marston’s Pedigree, Tetley’s, Wainwright and 61 Deep; brands under license including San Miguel, Mahou, Estrella Damm, Shipyard, Erdinger, Warsteiner and Kirin; a broad selection of alcohol-free beers; plus distribution of the Brooklyn Brewery and London Fields Brewery craft portfolios.
The majority of the brewer’s portfolio will be brewed and packaged within its own network of breweries located across England, including the Carlsberg brewery in Northampton; London Fields in Hackney; Marston’s in Burton upon Trent; Banks’s in Wolverhampton; Wychwood in Witney, Oxfordshire; Jennings in Cockermouth, Cumbria; Ringwood in Hampshire; and Eagle in Bedford; plus a National Distribution Centre in Northampton and 11 UK-wide distribution depots.
Under the terms of the transaction, CMBC will have access to Marston’s pub estate for its beer portfolio, enshrined through a strategic, long-term supply and distribution agreement.
After eight years with Carlsberg, and having completed the transaction to form CMBC, Tomasz Blawat, formerly MD of Carlsberg UK, has taken the decision to return to his native Poland in order to take up business opportunities outside of Carlsberg. Paul Davies is appointed Chief Executive Officer of Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company. He joins CMBC from Carlsberg Poland where he was Managing Director since early 2019, following a career with Carlsberg in the UK, Sweden, and as VP Craft & Specialty for Carlsberg Group, in Copenhagen. Tomasz will support the integration process until the end of this year.
Paul will lead a new management team combining leaders from across Carlsberg UK and Marston’s Beer Company (MBC). Richard Westwood, previously Managing Director of MBC, takes the role of Chief Operating Officer, Integration; Adam Stubbs, Chief Financial Officer; Sarah Perry, VP Supply Chain; Ramesh Kataria, VP Production; Chris Pratt, VP Market Strategy & Planning; Simon Barnes, VP Free On Trade; Carl Middleton, VP Nationals On, Off Trade & Export; John Clements, VP Marketing; Greg Morris, VP Human Resources; and Bruce Ray, VP Corporate Affairs.
As previously announced, Ralph Findlay, currently Chief Executive Officer, Marston’s PLC, is appointed Non-Executive Chairman of CMBC.
Paul Davies, CEO, Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company comments: “This is a significant moment for us as we create a new, better beer company, with a sustainable future in UK brewing. We have a rare opportunity to create a unique beer business which combines over 300 years of brewing heritage and an unrivalled portfolio of brands, each with authenticity and provenance.
“I am delighted to lead Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company with the support of a new, experienced management team. We would like to thank Tomek for leading the transaction process over the past 12 months, and we wish him well in his future endeavours back in Poland.
“Today is the start of our journey towards CMBC becoming the UK’s best beer platform; and whilst together with the wider beer and pub industry we will need to navigate a deeply challenging time ahead, as a result of the impact of Coronavirus, we will aim to help our customers to grow by offering an unrivalled portfolio of premium beer brands, excellent customer service and route to market scale.”
Ralph Findlay, Non-Executive Chairman, Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company, adds: “Today marks the beginning of a new journey as Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company is created from our great brands, joint teams, and our valued heritage. Our vision comes from a shared passion for beer, and our belief that combining our unrivalled brand portfolios with outstanding service will create a stronger business.”
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