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HERE’S A QUICK TEN-MINUTE READ OF THE TOP TEN TRENDING ONLINE LIQUOR INDUSTRY NEWS STORIES FOR THE PAST QUARTER ON DRINKSTRADE.COM.AU VISIT DRINKSTRADE.COM.AU FOR DAILY NEWS UPDATES. Words Ioni Doherty, Editor Drinks Trade Digital Edition
1. DIAGEO’S DAVID SMITH TO STEP INTO LEADERSHIP AT LION Posted October 8, 2021 Lion has announced executive changes with James Brindley calling ‘last shout’, preparing to leave Lion at the end of 2021 after 27 years with Lion and 12 as Managing Director of Lion Australia. David Smith will step into the role, joining from Diageo, where he is currently Managing Director, Southern Europe. Lion CEO Stuart Irvine said: “David is a highly respected industry leader and already a familiar face to many of our Australian partners. He is committed to growing businesses through patient investment, enduring partnerships and motivating his teams to deliver outstanding customer outcomes. We look forward to welcoming him back home to Australia and Lion in January.” 1
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2. WINE DEPOT ACQUIRES KADDY FOR $34.25 MILLION October 15, 2021 WineDepot has acquired 100 per cent ownership of Kaddy for $34.25m effectively forming Australia’s largest alcohol-focused cloud-based logistics and marketplace platform. Together, the combined operation will immediately account for over 1,900 buyers across the on and off-premise segments, along with over 1,000 suppliers of alcoholic beverages accounting for more than 10,000 products. 3. LION ACQUIRES FERMENTUM GROUP IN ONE OF NATION’S BIGGEST BEER BUYOUTS EVER Posted September 9, 2021 Lion has acquired the entire Fermentum family of businesses, including Stone & Wood, Two Birds, Fixation, Little Dragon and Sunly Seltzer. The Sydney Morning Herald suggests it is “one of the largest-ever craft beer acquisitions in the country”, and the Australian Financial Review suggested the deal, subject to regulatory approvals, is worth more than $500 million.
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Lion Australia’s Managing Director James Brindley said, “We have huge respect for what Jamie Cook, Brad Rogers, Ross Jurisich and the team have created; great beer, wonderful brands, spiritual homes in their breweries and taprooms, an inclusive culture and a commitment to the community. “We want to grow what they’ve started, giving their people and beers even more reach across the country.” 4. CALABRIA FAMILY WINES DOUBLES IN SIZE & RE-LAUNCHES Posted September 9, 2021 Calabria Wines has doubled in size this past year, evolving to such an extent that today it has announced a new business model named Calabria Family Wines Group. Calabria Family Wine Group will house the family’s collection of brands and aims to ensure each brand continues to carry its distinct identities, portfolios, and distribution strategies. This past year, the Calabria Family has acquired McWilliam’s 4
