Punch Taverns has signed a five-year deal with Carlsberg UK which sees the brewer continuing as the on-trade retailer’s exclusive drinks distribution provider.
Carlsberg UK will supply all of Punch Taverns managed and leased pubs across the UK with a composite drinks supply operation. The new deal will start once the current agreement finishes in 2012, and run to 2017. It will see Carlsberg UK delivering all alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks to Punch’s entire estate which now accounts for more than 7,100 pubs.
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Giles Thorley, chief executive of Punch Taverns, said: “The high level of service and competitive pricing structures were two key elements in securing the long-term partnership.”
“The difference between Carlsberg UK and other logistics providers in the market is quite simply that they understand beer and pubs. Carlsberg UK have shown a huge amount of professionalism and commitment in their logistical business and I have no doubt that they will continue to deliver a high level of performance.”
Carlsberg UK employs 1, 000 people in the logistics arm of its business and delivers its own brands and others to a number of on and off-trade customers, including Orchid Group, Inventive Leisure, JD Wetherspoon, St Austell, NUSSL, Pubfolio, Booker, Makro and CUK’s own Free Trade estate
Dr Isaac Sheps, chief executive of Carlsberg UK, said: “Our logistics operation is a core part of our business and one we are looking to expand. Being a brewer who is passionate about beer, pubs and great service differentiates us from other drinks logistics companies.”
