PLB acquires HwCg

PLB has taken over HwCg after directors placed HwCg into administration.

Despite a healthy perfomance by its UK operations, problems arising from HwCg’s associated companies in Australia led to the director’s decision to place the wine business into administration, whereby PLB picked up its assets from the administrator. 

A statement issued this afternoon by PLB said: "HwCg and PLB have been in discussion for some time about how best to integrate their portfolios and activities.  Now HwCg has had to go into administration, PLB has agreed to buy the assets of HwCg from the administrator.

"The key aim is to maintain continuity of supply for all customers and suppliers. PLB also aims to take on personnel from HwCg as PLB recognises the talent that lies within this well respected agency.

"Whilst the circumstances of this action for HwCg have been difficult, the portfolios of the two businesses are an extremely good fit, having complementary supplier bases.

 "This means PLB will have an exceptionally strong range from across the wine-producing world and can continue to offer customers an effective and stable supply base into the future."

PLB managing director Peter Darbyshire, said: “Both companies have been very successful despite difficult economic conditions.  It is our aim to not just maintain that success, but to build on it strongly.”

Alan Lodge, 19.08.2009