Simon Hannah Filshill

Simon Hannah has announced Filshill’s acquisition of Lawrence McQueen

JW Filshill has acquired Lawrence McQueen Wine & Spirits Merchants for an undisclosed sum.

The Scottish wholesaler said the acquisition would help it to diversify its business into complementary areas, especially the on-trade.

Lawrence McQueen is a long-standing supplier of Filshill. Its owner, Lawrence McQueen, is retiring but will work with JW Filshill for a short period of time

“This acquisition will provide us with a platform to further enhance our positioning within the on-trade,” said Filshill MD Simon Hannah (pictured).

“We see this as an opportunity to utilise our expertise and logistics network to grow our existing on-trade business.

“There is considerable consolidation in Scotland among the big on-trade operators just now and this presents opportunities for companies like JW Filshill. The fact that Lawrence McQueen’s business is long-established and highly respected within the industry will also help us given its loyal customer base of bars, pubs and hotels across mainland Scotland.”

McQueen said: “The business was founded by my late father so it was a difficult decision to make. But with the trade changing at such a pace, the chance to sell the business to another family concern I have worked with for many years and have the greatest respect for presented an ideal opportunity for me to hand over the reins and let someone else develop the business to the next level.”

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