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Carlsberg Marston’s puts Ringwood Brewery up for sale
Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company (CMBC) has announced plans to sell its Ringwood Brewery, stating it was “not a decision we have taken lightly”.
Through the plans, the Hampshire-based Ringwood Brewery and its brands, including Razorback, Old Thumper, Boondoggle and Fortyniner, have been put on the market with CMBC’s logistics operation at Ringwood also proposed to close.
Deliveries will now be relocated to CMBC’s depots at Tiverton and Farnborough with additional support from its Cardiff depot, it said.
Ringwood Brewery is best known for its cask ales and was founded in 1978, moving to its current site in 1986. In 2007, it was bought by Marston’s for £19.2m in 2007 as part of its plans to purchase regional beer brands and secure a place in the south of England.
In 2020, Marston’s completed its merger with Carlsberg UK, forming CMBC and combining both of the company’s assets and portfolios of beer brands.
Paul Davies, CEO of CMBC, said the announcement was “not a decision we have taken lightly” and that CMBC “have incredible respect for the effort and dedication of the team at Ringwood”.
Davies pointed to the location of the brewery and resulting challenges of investment, which would mean Ringwood wouldn’t meet the level of capacity and capability required.
He said: “The brewery’s location in a residential area makes expansion complicated, and as such the investment required to bring its capacity and capability up to the level we need for our business is too great to be a viable path for CMBC. To ensure our future growth and simplify the business, we are looking for a new owner for Ringwood in the brewing industry, including its excellent range of local ales.
“We are confident that, by taking these actions now, we can ensure we continue to grow, innovate and deliver great beers across the UK, putting us in the best possible position to achieve success now and in the future.
“We have informed colleagues affected by these proposals at the brewery and our priority now is to support them through this process, and to begin the search for the right buyer for Ringwood.”