Bibendum merges with PLB

Two of the UK's largest wine merchants have merged their businesses after restaurant supplier Bibendum agreed to acquire retailer-focused supplier PLB. The new Bibendum PLB Group will see Bibendum and PLB focus on their core areas of expertise. Moving forward, both businesses will continue to operate as separate trading companies, with Bibendum concentrating exclusively on serving the On Trade and PLB doing the same in the Off Trade.

Three other trading companies will join the new Group:

Walker & Wodehouse Wines will be joining the Group to focus on supplying the independent merchants and regional wholesalers. Walker & Wodehouse has a history stretching back to 1794 and has held a Royal Warrant since 1955.

Bibendum’s spirits and beer agency business, the Instil Drinks Company, will integrate PLB’s rapidly expanding beer division.

The Wondering Wine Company, Bibendum’s consumer wine events business, completes the new group.

The move creates a wine merchant worth around £300m in annual sales and with a broad reach across restaurants, supermarkets and independent retailers.