The announcement came as the business announced its results for the 12 months ended 28 February 2025, which has seen a “resilient performance across the group”.
C&C Group – which also operates drinks and wine distributor Matthew Clark Bibendum – saw net revenue rise 13% to €1.67bn, adjusted earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) up 18.3% to €112m and operating profit up 17.1% to €77m.
C&C Group CEO Roger White said: “The group has progressed on a number of fronts over the last year, despite the ongoing challenging macro and market backdrop.
“Our two leading brands, Tennent’s and Bulmers gained market share and we see future growth opportunities for both. Our premium brand performance is encouraging, benefiting from ongoing consumer appeal for premium beer and cider which is driving growth in this segment.
Year-to-date trading encouraging
“Within distribution, Matthew Clark Bibendum continued to deliver positive momentum, achieving consistently improved service levels, growing its customer base by 8%, providing great range and value.
“Looking ahead, year-to-date trading is encouraging. With the key summer trading period ahead, we are executing our plans for the year, supporting our customers, investing in innovation and brand-building, people and systems, while continuing to simplify the business and control costs.”
Chairman Ralph Findlay said he was pleased with the “solid progress” across the group and added group revenues were in line with last year, reflecting growth in distribution offset by the disposal of its non-core soft drinks business in Ireland, lower contract volumes and a softer cider market in the UK and Ireland due to poor weather over the 2024 summer months.
“The macro-economic and legislative headwinds facing the retail and hospitality sector are well documented,” Findlay said. “Consumer confidence in the UK and Ireland remains subdued and the recently announced US tariffs add further uncertainty.
Confidence in future
“Total employment costs in the UK will grow in the coming year due to the increase in the national minimum wage and employer national insurance contributions.
“The introduction of further legislative activity, such as the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) levy and the already introduced Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) in the Republic of Ireland, will cause further price inflation, as these costs and taxes are passed on to customers and consumers.”
On the future for the business whose other brands include Magners, Menabrea, Heverlee, Orchard Pig and Outcider, Findlay said: “C&C’s portfolio of much-loved brands, combined with our industry-leading customer focused distribution business and strong cash flow provides us with confidence in our future prospects.
“Notwithstanding the immediate challenges facing the consumer and our customers, we believe there is significant scope for us to further improve the financial and operating performance of our business.
“Over the year ahead, we plan to further invest in our people, customer proposition, brand innovation and systems, underpinning the board’s confidence in our ability to achieve sustainable, long-term profitable growth.”
