Spirits companies Edrington UK and Beam Suntory have confirmed that their distribution agreement in the UK will end on 31 January 2025. 

 

The companies’ partnership has been in place for more than 25 years. Formerly Maxxium UK, the Edrington-Beam Suntory UK business was jointly owned until 2021, when it changed to a third-party distribution partnership. 

 

Edrington UK, which currently distributes Beam Suntory products, will shift focus to its own spirits portfolio from February 2025, when the partnership expires. Beam Suntory has selected Nick Temperley, managing director UK & Ireland, to lead its own commercial business in the UK market from next year.

 

Temperley comment: “Firstly, my sincere thanks to the entire team at Edrington UK, with whom we have partnered so closely for so many years, for their outstanding work on our portfolio in the UK.

 

“It will be an absolute privilege to build the new Beam Suntory UK business. We have strong premium brands and we intend to create a diverse, world-class team anchored in London with capabilities in Scotland and across the country.

 

“We see significant potential in the UK. It is a very large and sophisticated spirits market and home to many of the world’s best retailers, bars, and restaurants. We look forward to partnering with them from February next year.”

 

Edrington UK managing director Mark Riley added: “I am excited at the opportunity to shape our UK business focused exclusively on opportunities for Edrington’s ultra-premium and leading spirits. The Edrington UK team has delivered strong results for Beam Suntory’s portfolio and we are proud to represent these excellent brands in the UK until next February.”