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Company info

Deal Information

In June 2007 LDC invested made a substantial equity investment to fund the continuing expansion of Intercontinental Brands, manufacturer of leading beverages such as St Helier pear cider, Vodkat light spirit and “The Italian Job” wine range.

The Harrogate-based business distributes over 260 alcoholic and non-alcoholic products to major supermarket chains, specialist off-licence groups and independent retailers.

Its in-house mixing and bottling facility in Middlesbrough employs over 100 people and produces nearly three million cases per annum.

The facility is also a research and development centre which enables the business to produce bespoke beverages capable of being on the shelf four weeks after conception.

LDC took a minority stake in the business and the investment will be used to drive strategic acquisitions and broaden its European distribution base.

Intercontinental Brands was formed in 1990 by Paul Burton and John Hibberd as a distributor of MD20/20, a flavoured fortified wine. In 1994, it launched its first self- developed product and in 1996 introduced a range of ready to drink (RTD) products.

The firm now manufactures and distributes a full product range spanning all alcoholic beverage categories which it provides to both on-trade and off-trade customers. It also supplies customers in Hong Kong and Germany and will look to further expand its export markets following the deal.