Clare Rose, one of Long Island’s oldest family-owned companies and its largest beer distributor, has agreed to be acquired by Miami-basedSouthern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, continuing a trend of consolidation in the industry.
Clare Rose, which began as a small soda distributor in 1936, now has several facilities on Underhill Boulevard in Syosset and a headquarters building in East Yaphank. It employs about 1,000 people on the Island.
“For more than 90 years, Clare Rose has proudly served Long Island with unwavering dedication to our customers, brand and community,” Sean Rose, the company’s chief executive and the third generation of his family to lead the company.
Clare Rose distributes Anheuser-Bush brands, including Budweiser, Bud Light and Busch Light, to some 5,000 restaurants, bars and retailers in Nassau and Suffolk counties.
“We are thrilled to welcome the Clare Rose team to the Southern Glazer’s family,” said Wayne E. Chaplin.
The deal is expected to close sometime this year. Terms of the deal were not announced.
The deal will allow Southern Glazer to distribute Anheuser’s line of products in Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, and the Bronx, the two companies said in a statement.
Late last year, Southern Glazer said that it had completed the purchase of Anheuser Busch’s in-house New York City distribution business.
The spirits industry has been rife with consolidations in the last few years.
Industry experts say that key drivers behind the moves include “premiumization,” the fact that consumers are drinking les but better, nudging companies to acquire larger, high-priced products. Additionally, the experts say, companies are buying brands that appeal to younger drinkers. An example: Gallo’s purchase of Whiny Baby.
Source: LI Press
