S&N goes live with Jygsaw Brands JV

Jygsaw Brands, the company formed to look after Scottish & Newcastle's (S&N) heritage ale brands, has commenced operation.

The new business has been formed by a team of former S&N managers in a joint venture with S&N.

Jygsaw will control the sales and marketing rights of S&N's ale brands McEwan's, Younger's and Newcastle Exhibition as well as cider brands Woodpecker and Scrumpy Jack.

It has also assumed the marketing rights for Newcastle Brown Ale in the UK.

The aim is to ensure the brands get the appropriate focus and support to offer a real choice in S&N's portfolio while allowing the brewer to focus on its core brands.

"We have developed a business that will help meet the trade need for choice and differentiation,"​ said Jygsaw managing director Simon Brown.

"There will also be great opportunities for other partners to use this economic model to deliver consumer and trade needs in a mature and consolidating market. ​

"Furthermore, the partnership provides the flexibility for future strategic opportunities for S&N and other brand owners."