Miller Brands, the UK and Ireland operating division of SABMiller, has today announced that their long-standing relationship with Beamish and Crawford to market, brew and distribute Miller Genuine Draft will come to an end with effect from April 30th 2009.
As of this date, sales and distribution for Miller Genuine Draft in the Republic of Ireland will transfer to Richmond Marketing who will also work closely with Miller Brands in developing and executing Marketing Plans.
Nick Miller, Managing Director of Miller Brands said ‘We are very pleased to confirm that we have reached agreement with Richmond Marketing regarding the sales and distribution of MGD in the Irish market. Richmond have an outstanding record of developing Premium drinks brands and we are confident that they will be the perfect partner for us in continuing to build on the excellent growth that MGD has experienced over recent years. We would like to thank Beamish and Crawford for the excellent work that they have done with MGD over many years’.
Barry Connolly, Managing Director Richmond Marketing said ’We are delighted to add Miller Genuine Draft to our stable of Premium brands. We are confident that our extensive understanding and experience of the Irish market, coupled with the strong support and expertise that we will receive from Miller Brands will allow us to continue the success of MGD into the future. We will shortly be contacting all existing MGD customers to discuss how the new arrangements will work.’
Further details regarding the nature of the new arrangements will be issued over the forthcoming weeks.
-ENDS-
For more information please contact:
Maureen Heffernan
Leisure PR & Communications
(M) 07860 529 242
Email: maureenheffernan@leisurepr.co.uk
Emma Currin
Leisure PR & Communications
(M) 07753 838 490
Email : emmacurrin@leisurepr.co.uk
Notes to Editors:
About Miller Brands
Miller Brands was launched in 2005 and is a subsidiary of SABMiller, one of the world's largest brewers. Miller Brands have assumed responsibility for the development of all SABMiller’s international premium brands across the UK and Ireland; these include Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Pilsner Urquell and Miller Genuine Draft. Through its consistent pricing and distribution discipline, supplemented by engaging marketing activities, Miller Brands is bringing value back into the beer category. Sales are currently growing in excess of 20% year on year in a declining market and this is increasingly recognized and referenced by retailers.
SABMiller
SABMiller plc is one of the world’s largest brewers with brewing interests and distribution agreements across six continents. The group’s wide portfolio of brands includes premium international beers such as Grolsch, Miller Genuine Draft, Peroni Nastro Azzurro and Pilsner Urquell, as well as market-leading local brands such as Aguila, Castle, Miller Lite, Snow and Tyskie. SABMiller is also one of the largest bottlers of Coca-Cola products in the world.
In the year ended 31 March 2008, the group reported US$3,639 million in adjusted pre-tax profit and revenue of US$21,410 million. SABMiller plc is listed on the London and Johannesburg stock exchanges.
Richmond Marketing
Richmond Marketing, established in 1992, distributes and markets premium beverage brands. The brands Richmond Marketing currently develop include: Red Bull, Volvic, Evian, Kopparberg Cider, Tiger Beer, Peroni Nastro Azzurro and Pilsner Urquell.