| Type | Public, ISEQ & LSE |
|---|---|
| Industry | Foodstuffs |
| Founded | Republic of Ireland (1850) |
| Headquarters | Dublin, Republic of Ireland |
| Key people | Tony O'Brien, Chairman John Dunsmore, CEO Stephen Glancey, COO |
| Products | Alcoholic Drinks |
| Employees | 673 (2009) |
| Website | cancgroupplc.com |
C&C Group plc (known prior to its flotation as Cantrell & Cochrane Limited), ISEQ: CCR, LSE: CCR, FWB: GCC, is a manufacturer, marketer and distributor of drinks in Ireland and the UK which has an increasing international presence, especially in the cider market.
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Historically, the core brand of the business was Bulmers Cider, which now has over 80% share of the Republic of Ireland cider market. As C&C only holds the rights to the brand in the Republic of Ireland, it had to develop a new brand to launch outside its home market. The Magners brand was introduced for this purpose in 1999. Firstly, the brand was launched in Northern Ireland with great success. It was introduced in London, then in the rest of England, Spain and Bavaria. Initially, the launch was a massive success with the share price increasing sharply and the company scrambling to add capacity in Clonmel to meet demand.[1] H. P. Bulmer, seeing their market share decline, relaunched their Bulmers cider in packaging similar to Magners and sold it with the C&C idea of being served with ice. As a result of better distribution and better pricing, H.P. Bulmer have regained some losses.[2][3] Magners currently has about 12% of the UK cider market. C&C has since cut production and laid off staff at Clonmel. In late 2009, C&C bought Gaymer Cider company.[4] This gives them a large production facility in Somerset and a distribution warehouse in Bristol. Magners Draught, however, will be distributed by Molson Coors through a previous distribution agreement.
C&C acquired the Tennents brand and Wellpark Brewery in August 2009 from Inbev.[5] Tennents is the largest lager brand in Scotland. C&C hope to use this strength to drive Magners' sales throughout Scotland. Tennents also has a large share of the Northern Irish lager market and it is hoped this will strengthen Magners' position; they will share distribution. As part of the acquisition C&C will also exclusively distribute Inbev brands on the island of Ireland. The exception to this is Budweiser which is distributed historically by Diageo.
Like many alcohol companies, C&C invests heavily in sports sponsorship.[6] Their brands have used this method extensively. Current and previous sponsorship includes the Magners League, Tennents Scottish Cup, London Wasps, Edinburgh Rugby, Bath Rugby, Rangers FC and Celtic FC.
Clonmel. The Home of Bulmers Irish Cider and main cider production facility.
Wellpark Brewery Glasgow. The historic home of Tennents lager acquired in August 2009 from Inbev.
Shepton Mallet in Somerset. Acquired along with the Gaymer Cider Company in late 2009.
Tayto Crisps was acquired in 1999, but was sold in 2006 to Largo Foods. Tayto suffered a decrease in market share in recent years due to aggressive rivals such as Walkers Crisps. On 14 May 2007, its non-alcoholic drinks division, including Ballygowan mineral water, Club Orange, MiWadi squashes, as well as the distribution operation for Pepsi and 7 Up was sold to Britvic PLC.
The company was launched on the Irish Stock Exchange in 2004 after a previous failed flotation in 2003. The company chairman is Tony O'Brien who was appointed in January 2002, having been Chief Executive of the Group for the previous 21 years. On 10 November 2008, former Scottish & Newcastle chief executive John Dunsmore joined the organisation as Group CEO.
C&C had a portfolio of spirits brands which it sold in May 2010. The largest of these was Tullamore Dew, the worlds second largest selling Irish whiskey after Jameson,[7] Other brands are Carolans Irish Cream, Irish Mist and Frangelico, which are exported to over 80 international markets. In April 2010, C&C announced it was selling its Spirits & Liqueurs division to Scottish distillers William Grant & Sons for €300m. This would be used to pay down debt built up from the Tennents and Gaymar purchases. The division's 57 staff, it was announced, would transfer with the business on disposal. It was also revealed that William Grant, whose brands include Glenfiddich Scotch Whisky and Hendrick's Gin, would operate the division's packaging facility located at the group's manufacturing site in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary.[8][9]
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