Ubevco to close
Drinks importer Ubevco is to close following a decision by its directors to split up the company.
The distributor of imported lager brands such as Sol and Tiger has been forced to admit it is ending all of its distribution contracts from October 1.
From that date Coors Brewers will distribute Mexican beer brands Sol and Dos Equis, while Pilsner Urquell and Castle Lager will be managed in-house by brand owner SAB Miller. Birra Moretti was passed on to Heineken UK in January, while a new distributor has yet to be found for soft drink brand Tropical Rhythms.
Most Ubevco personnel will now be incorporated into a new UK distribution operation for Tiger, which is being set up by Tiger Export Private Ltd, the global distributor of the brand.
Ubevco was set up in 1996 by Dennis Miller, Chris Garden and Catherine Blackburn who were later joined by Tony Vickers and Mike Winton. The company had great initial success developing Red Bull in the UK, establishing it as one of the top brands on the bar circuit. However, it lost the Red Bull contract in 1998.
"We have had a fantastic time working with great people," said Dennis Miller, managing director, "but we all feel that it is time for something new."
