Bibendum Wine merges with PLB Group

Bibendum Wine Limited has merged with drinks importer the PLB Group to create The Bibendum PLB Group.

Both businesses will continue to trade as separate trading companies with the new group’s structure set to allow Bibendum and PLB to focus on their own area of expertise with Bibendum focusing exclusively on serving the on-trade and PLB the off-trade.

The Bibendum PLB Group will be made up of five trading companies in total; existing Bibendum trading arms, the Wondering Wine Company and Instil Drinks Company, and PLB’s beer division.

It was also announced today that Walker and Wodehouse Wines has joined the group, a company which has a history dating back to 1794, which will focus on supplying independent merchants and regional wholesalers.

Jeffrey Fredericks, founder and chairman of PLB said: “PLB will continue to run as an individual trading company, but, as part of the Bibendum PLB Group, the vision of being able to offer the number one service to all areas of the UK trade will be realised. As a family business, it was very important to us that we found the right partner and we have found that with Bibendum. The two companies now join to become the UK’s most powerful independent drinks company in the UK and a unique route to market for any supplier.”

Michael Saunders, chief executive of The Bibendum PLB Group said: “Consolidation has been a widely discussed topic in the industry for several years as companies strive to grow in a low margin and complex market. By uniting the strengths of Bibendum with the strengths of PLB, and maximising the expertise within each trading company, our new group will be uniquely placed to offer customers the best possible service.”