French group GBH, the owner of Spiribam brands, has bought UK distributor Mangrove Global.
The UK company now joins forces with Spiribam, GBH’s spirits portfolio, which includes rum brands Clement, Rhum J.M., Chairman’s Reserve and Admiral Rodney.
Nick Gillett [pictured left], co-founder and current managing director of Mangrove, remains at the helm while former majority shareholder and co-founder John Coe* leaves the business to focus on other interests.
Gillett said: “Joining GBH and having access to Spirbam’s brands, resources and talents is an extraordinary opportunity. Under the impetus of new shareholder, Mangrove will be able to accelerate its development in the UK by relying on a team of passionate employees and a portfolio of leading partner brands (gin, tequila, whiskeys, vodka, liqueurs, etc.).
“GBG and Mangrove share similar entrepreneurial values. The possibilities offered to our brands, but especially to my team, are a great opportunity. It is a real privilege to take part in this new chapter in the history of the company that I created from scratch with John Coe. I am personally convinced that Mangrove’s best years lie ahead.”
Stéphane Hayot [pictured right], managing director of GBH, said: “This new acquisition confirms our desire to intensify our investments and our development in the field of spirits by expanding our portfolio of premium brands, but also by strengthening our distribution structures in strategic markets.
“The United Kingdom has always been a priority for our brands, which are mainly positioned in the premium and super premium segments. The opening of Spiribam in 2021 validated the potential of this market and convinced us to accelerate our establishment by acquiring Mangrove, whose solid market expertise and very good success in terms of brand building are undisputed.
“This operation is perfectly in line with our strategy of developing a powerful international distribution network for our spirits brands and those of our partners, by offering them an amplified quality of service and better visibility. The spirits sector is resolutely a strong area of development for GBH, alongside our Retail and Automotive activities.”
* Editor’s note: Before co-founding Mangrove in 2006, John Coe (while at Coe Vintners in 1997) co-founded Class Magazine with Simon Difford.