C&C Group

C&C Group plc is an Irish manufacturer, marketer and distributor of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. The company is particularly associated with cider, with Magners marketed internationally and Bulmers used as the principal brand name for its Irish cider business. Its portfolio has also included Tennent's lager, soft drinks, bottled water, spirits and liqueurs, and a range of wholesale and distribution businesses. The business traces its origins to Dr Thomas Cantrell, who opened a soft-drinks shop in Belfast in 1852. In 1868 he entered into partnership with Alderman Henry Cochrane in Dublin, creating the Cantrell & Cochrane business. The company's early activities centred on carbonated drinks and other beverages, and its Dublin operations became an established part of the Irish drinks industry. One of its best-known non-alcoholic products was Club Orange, developed in the 1930s, later joined by Club Lemon and Club Rock Shandy. The Club soft-drinks and bottled-water operations were sold to Britvic Ireland in 2007 as C&C concentrated more heavily on alcoholic beverages. C&C's modern cider identity developed from the company's Irish rights to the Bulmers cider brand. To expand outside Ireland, where the Bulmers name was controlled by another business, C&C introduced Magners Irish Cider in 1999. The product was promoted as a cider served over ice and became particularly successful in the United Kingdom and other export markets during the middle of the 2000s. Rapid demand led the company to accelerate capacity expansion, although later market conditions produced overcapacity and employment reductions at its Annerville operation. The group expanded through acquisitions during the late 2000s and early 2010s. In 2009 it acquired Tennent's lager and Wellpark Brewery in Glasgow from InBev, strengthening its presence in Scotland and Northern Ireland. It also acquired the Gaymer Cider Company in 2009. In 2010 C&C sold its spirits and liqueurs division, including Tullamore Dew, Carolans, Irish Mist and Frangelico, to William Grant & Sons for €300 million, using the disposal to reduce debt associated with expansion. In 2012 it acquired Vermont Hard Cider in the United States and took a majority interest in the Gleeson Group, broadening its distribution capabilities. C&C also became active in drinks wholesaling. In 2018 it acquired Matthew Clark and Bibendum PLB from the failing Conviviality group in a transaction supported by AB InBev. The deal expanded C&C's route-to-market and wholesale presence in Great Britain. In 2019 the company's stock-market listing moved entirely from the Irish exchange to the London Stock Exchange, reflecting the increased importance of United Kingdom-based shareholders. Today, C&C is principally a branded cider, beer and drinks-distribution group. Its operating footprint has included production facilities in Ireland, Great Britain and the United States, with Clonmel remaining closely associated with Magners cider and Wellpark Brewery with Tennent's lager. The group has also used sports sponsorship and other marketing activity to support its alcoholic-beverage brands. The company's portfolio and ownership structure have changed repeatedly through disposals, acquisitions and distribution agreements, so individual brand and facility roles should be distinguished from the wider C&C corporate identity.

C&C Group began in the nineteenth-century Irish soft-drinks trade. Dr Thomas Cantrell opened a shop in Belfast in 1852, and in 1868 he entered a Dublin partnership with Alderman Henry Cochrane. The resulting Cantrell & Cochrane business operated for decades under that name and developed a broad beverage presence. Its Dublin factory was historically located near Nassau Place, between Kildare Street and South Frederick Street. The company became especially well known in Ireland for Club Orange, a carbonated orange drink developed during the 1930s. Club Lemon and Club Rock Shandy followed, creating a recognisable family of Irish soft drinks. C&C later sold the Club soft-drinks and bottled-water business to Britvic Ireland in 2007, reflecting a strategic shift toward alcoholic beverages. An important foundation for C&C's cider business came in 1937, when William Magner of Clonmel obtained Irish production rights for H. P. Bulmer's cider. C&C eventually developed the Magners name for markets where it could not use Bulmers. Magners launched in 1999 and was first expanded in the United Kingdom, beginning in Northern Ireland and London before reaching the wider British market and selected European markets. Its presentation over ice and its marketing helped create strong demand in 2005 and 2006, requiring accelerated production planning. The success also prompted H. P. Bulmer to relaunch its own British Bulmers cider in packaging and a serving style resembling Magners. C&C had an unusual American media venture during the 1950s. In an effort connected to the promotion of C&C Cola, the company acquired access to a large RKO film library for television syndication. The broadcast operation became C&C Television Corporation, led by Matty Fox and Erwin H. Ezzes. The company distributed hundreds of feature films and short subjects to United States television stations, with C&C branding and commercial arrangements attached to the broadcasts. This activity was separate from the later alcoholic-drinks focus of the group. During the 2000s C&C changed its corporate name to C&C Group and floated on the Irish Stock Exchange in 2004. It subsequently pursued international growth through cider, beer and distribution acquisitions. The purchase of Tennent's and Wellpark Brewery from InBev in 2009 gave C&C a major Scottish lager brand and a substantial brewing site in Glasgow. The same year, it acquired Gaymer Cider Company, adding production capacity and facilities in England. Expansion was followed by restructuring: C&C reduced production and employment at Annerville in 2009 because of excess capacity, and announced the closure of its Shepton Mallet factory in 2016. In 2010 C&C disposed of its Spirits & Liqueurs division to William Grant & Sons for €300 million. The transaction included well-known brands such as Tullamore Dew, Carolans Irish Cream, Irish Mist and Frangelico, and was intended to reduce debt from earlier acquisitions. In 2012 the company bought Vermont Hard Cider in the United States and acquired most of the Gleeson Group, restoring exposure to soft drinks and bottled water distribution while excluding Gleeson's cider and liqueur businesses. The group continued to adjust its United States and British operations. In 2015 it announced that Pabst Brewing Company would distribute its American cider brands and received an option related to Woodchuck and Vermont. In 2016 the Shepton Mallet site was scheduled for closure and was later sold to Brothers Drinks. In 2018 C&C rescued the Matthew Clark and Bibendum PLB wholesale businesses from the administration of Conviviality, with support from AB InBev and additional working capital. In October 2019, C&C moved its share quotation entirely to the London Stock Exchange and left Euronext Dublin. Stephen Glancey was announced as stepping down as chief executive in January 2020. The reference material also reports an acquisition of Innis & Gunn and Drygate in 2026; because that event is future-dated relative to much of the available historical record, its completion and current status require verification.

1. 2021Vermont Cider Company is sold

   C&C sold Vermont Cider Company to Northeast Drinks Group.

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2. 2020Stephen Glancey announces departure as CEO

   The company announced that Stephen Glancey would step down as chief executive.

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3. 2019London becomes the sole stock-market listing

   C&C delisted from Euronext Dublin and moved its quotation currency to pounds sterling on the London Stock Exchange.

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4. 2018Matthew Clark and Bibendum PLB join C&C

   C&C acquired the wholesale businesses of Conviviality after that group's move toward administration.

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5. 2012Vermont Hard Cider and most of Gleeson Group are acquired

   C&C expanded in the United States through Vermont Hard Cider and strengthened Irish distribution through its majority acquisition of the Gleeson Group.

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6. 2010Spirits and liqueurs division is divested

   William Grant & Sons acquired C&C's spirits and liqueurs division for €300 million.

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7. 2009Tennent's, Wellpark Brewery and Gaymer are acquired

   C&C expanded through the purchases of Tennent's and Wellpark Brewery from InBev and the Gaymer Cider Company.

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8. 2007Club soft drinks are sold to Britvic Ireland

   C&C sold its Club soft-drinks and bottled-water operations to Britvic Ireland as it concentrated more strongly on alcoholic beverages.

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9. 2004The group floats on the Irish Stock Exchange

   Following its corporate rebranding as C&C Group, the company was listed on the Irish Stock Exchange.

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10. 1999Magners launches

    C&C introduced Magners Irish Cider for markets outside Ireland, beginning an international expansion of its cider business.

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11. 1955C&C enters television film syndication

    C&C Television Corporation was formed around the syndication of a large RKO film library to United States television stations, linked to C&C Cola promotion.

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12. 1937Irish Bulmers cider rights are acquired

    William Magner obtained the rights to produce H. P. Bulmer's cider in Ireland, establishing the basis of C&C's Irish cider operations.

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13. 1930Club Orange is developed

    The company developed Club Orange during the 1930s, later extending the soft-drinks range with Club Lemon and Club Rock Shandy.

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14. 1868Cantrell partners with Henry Cochrane

    Cantrell entered a Dublin partnership with Alderman Henry Cochrane, creating the Cantrell & Cochrane business.

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15. 1852Thomas Cantrell opens a Belfast soft-drinks shop

    Dr Thomas Cantrell began the business that ultimately developed into C&C Group by opening a shop selling soft drinks in Belfast.

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An Irish drinks group focused on cider, beer and beverage distribution, combining heritage brands with manufacturing, route-to-market and wholesale capabilities across Ireland, Great Britain, the United States and other export markets.

• Magners Irish CiderCider1999

  Magners is C&C's international Irish cider brand. Introduced in 1999 because the Bulmers name was not available for the company's overseas expansion, it was first developed in the United Kingdom and later sold in additional European and international markets. Its marketing strongly associated the cider with serving over ice, helping distinguish it in the British cider market.

• Bulmers Irish CiderCider1937

  Bulmers is the principal name used by C&C for its Irish cider business. The rights to produce Bulmers cider in Ireland originated with William Magner's 1937 arrangement with H. P. Bulmer. C&C uses Magners as the corresponding international brand in markets where the Bulmers name is controlled by another company.

• Tennent's LagerLager

  Tennent's is a major Scottish lager brand acquired by C&C in 2009 together with Wellpark Brewery in Glasgow. The brand has a strong position in Scotland and also significant distribution in Ulster, including Northern Ireland and County Donegal. Its brewery provides C&C with an important beer-production base alongside the group's cider operations.

• Club OrangeSoft drink1930

  Club Orange is an Irish carbonated orange soft drink developed by C&C during the 1930s. It became one of the company's best-known non-alcoholic products and was later accompanied by Club Lemon and Club Rock Shandy. C&C sold the Club soft-drinks business to Britvic Ireland in 2007.

• WoodchuckCider

  Woodchuck was one of C&C's United States cider brands associated with the Vermont Hard Cider business. C&C later restructured its American cider activities, including distribution arrangements with Pabst Brewing Company and the eventual sale of Vermont Cider Company.

• Matthew ClarkBeverage wholesale

  Matthew Clark is a British drinks wholesaling business acquired by C&C in 2018 from Conviviality. Its addition expanded C&C's route-to-market capabilities and gave the group a substantial wholesale operation serving licensed and hospitality customers.

• Bibendum PLBWine and beverage distribution

  Bibendum PLB was acquired alongside Matthew Clark in 2018. The business strengthened C&C's presence in British wine and drinks wholesale and formed part of the rescued Conviviality distribution platform.

• 1999Magners Irish Cider international launch

  United Kingdom · Spain · Germany · Other export markets

  C&C introduced Magners as the overseas identity for its Irish cider, initially building distribution in Northern Ireland and London before extending across Great Britain and selected European markets. The brand promoted cider served over ice and became central to C&C's international growth.

  Outcome. Demand rose sharply during 2005 and 2006, leading C&C to accelerate expansion plans and helping establish Magners as a prominent export cider brand.

  Source
• 1955C&C Movietime television promotion

  United States

  C&C connected its cola business with a television syndication venture built around a large RKO film library. C&C Television Corporation offered feature films and short subjects to television stations, using branded title cards and commercial mentions of C&C Cola.

  Outcome. The company distributed hundreds of films and shorts to American stations, creating an unusual media-marketing extension of the C&C beverage business.

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• Sports sponsorship

  Ireland · United Kingdom · Other markets

  C&C has invested in sports sponsorship to promote its alcoholic-beverage brands, consistent with the marketing practices of major drinks companies.

  Source

• 2019Move to a sole London Stock Exchange listingStrategy

  C&C had an increasing proportion of shareholders based in the United Kingdom.

  What changed. The company delisted from Euronext Dublin and retained its London Stock Exchange quotation, changing the quotation currency to pounds sterling.

  Aftermath. C&C's public-market identity became centred on London rather than dual Irish and London listings.

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• 2018Rescue acquisition of Matthew Clark and Bibendum PLBM&A

  Conviviality announced that it intended to enter administration, putting its wholesale businesses at risk.

  What changed. C&C acquired Matthew Clark and Bibendum PLB for a nominal sum, with AB InBev support and capital injections intended to provide approximately £102 million of working capital resources.

  Aftermath. C&C expanded its British wholesale and distribution platform while preserving the operations of the acquired businesses.

  Working capital resources. £102 million (2018)

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• 2015United States cider distribution transferred to PabstStrategy

  C&C was reassessing its United States cider operations and distribution model.

  What changed. C&C announced that Pabst Brewing Company would distribute its American cider brands and received an option connected with Woodchuck and Vermont.

  Aftermath. The arrangement was followed by further retrenchment, including the later sale of Vermont Cider Company in 2021.

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• 2010Sale of the Spirits & Liqueurs divisionM&A

  C&C had accumulated debt through its acquisitions of Tennent's and Gaymer's businesses.

  What changed. C&C sold the division, including Tullamore Dew, Carolans, Irish Mist and Frangelico, to William Grant & Sons for €300 million.

  Aftermath. The disposal transferred 57 staff with the business and was intended to reduce C&C's debt burden.

  Transaction value. €300 million (2010)

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• 2007Exit from Club soft drinks and bottled waterStrategy

  C&C was placing greater emphasis on alcoholic beverages while retaining a long history in Irish soft drinks.

  What changed. The company sold its Club soft-drinks and bottled-water operations to Britvic Ireland.

  Aftermath. C&C's portfolio became more concentrated in cider and other alcoholic beverages, although it later re-entered parts of beverage distribution through the Gleeson acquisition.

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• 2021C&C Group sells Vermont Cider Company

  C&C sold Vermont Cider Company to Vermont-based Northeast Drinks Group, continuing the group's retrenchment from parts of the United States cider business.

  M&A
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• 2020Stephen Glancey steps down as chief executive

  C&C announced that chief executive Stephen Glancey would leave the role.

  Leadership change
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• 2019C&C Group moves its stock-market listing entirely to London

  The company delisted from Euronext Dublin and retained a London Stock Exchange listing, while changing its quotation currency to pounds sterling.

  Other
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• 2018C&C Group acquires Matthew Clark and Bibendum PLB

  C&C acquired the wholesale businesses Matthew Clark and Bibendum PLB after the collapse of their former parent, Conviviality. AB InBev supported the transaction and capital funding.

  M&ABankruptcy
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• 2012C&C Group buys Vermont Hard Cider

  C&C acquired Vermont Hard Cider, described in the reference material as the largest cider maker in the United States, for $305 million.

  M&A
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• 2010C&C Group sells spirits and liqueurs division to William Grant & Sons

  C&C agreed to sell its spirits and liqueurs business, including Tullamore Dew and Carolans, to William Grant & Sons for €300 million, with the proceeds intended to reduce debt.

  M&A
  Source
• 2009C&C Group acquires Tennent's and Wellpark Brewery

  The group acquired Tennent's lager and Wellpark Brewery from InBev, expanding its beer manufacturing and distribution position in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

  M&A
  Source
• 1999C&C Group launches Magners Irish Cider outside Ireland

  C&C introduced Magners as the international name for its Irish Bulmers cider, initially targeting the United Kingdom and subsequently other export markets.

  Product launchOther
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1. C&C Group