Musgrave MarketPlace appoints Ken Allan as new head of beverage
Wholesaler also hires 13 experienced on-trade beverage sales colleagues and will significantly expand its alcohol range by 34%
Print25 May 2021
Wholesale supplier Musgrave MarketPlace has appointed Ken Allan as its new head of Beverage as well as hiring 13 experienced on-trade beverage sales colleagues. This significant expansion of the on-trade beverage team is part of Musgrave MarketPlace’s plans to increase the number of on-trade beverage customers it services from 45% of the market, to become the leading on-trade supplier to the Irish market.
Today’s announcement follows recent news that Musgrave MarketPlace will expand its on-trade alcohol range by 34% to 382 total beverage lines by September 2021. The new alcohol lines will include 75 new wines, beers and ciders, with 40% of the range being produced in Ireland.
Musgrave MarketPlace has an extensive product range in all key beverage categories with a particularly strong representation in super premium spirits and world beers.
The wholesaler’s new head of beverage, Ken Allan, has over 17 years’ experience in the on-trade. Before joining Musgrave MarketPlace, he worked in senior roles with Diageo Ireland, Diageo Africa and Brandhouse South Africa before being appointed MD of Counterpoint in Ireland. He then returned to South Africa to lead KWV Wines & Spirits before being appointed to his new role.
“It has been a difficult 18 months for the industry which has created unimaginable hardships for our business community across the country,” Ken Allan said.
“As we now begin to emerge from heavy restrictions placed on our industry, we will work with customers to help them reboot their business with our improved on-trade alcohol and soft drinks offering,” he added. “My focus as head of beverage will be to continue the successful growth of our on-trade beverage offering and to use my experience to guide our talented team to help our customers capitalise on the opportunities ahead.”
To ensure Musgrave MarketPlace can deliver its expanded alcohol and soft drink lines Monday-Friday, 08:00-17:00, the group says it has invested in new trucks and recruited drivers across its nationwide branch network to form part of the dedicated team to service on-trade customers. For their convenience, Musgrave MarketPlace customers will now also be able to get a top up shop using their account in their local Musgrave MarketPlace branch, which will be open 7 days a week from 6 June.
Michael McCormack, managing director of Musgrave Wholesale Partners said he was delighted to welcome Ken Allan alongside the 13 new members of the on-trade beverage sales team.
“These appointments all bring a wealth of sector experience and knowledge to the business that will be pivotal to achieving our ambition of becoming the leading on-trade beverage supplier in the Irish market,” McCormack said. “To do this, we are recruiting the right people, significantly expanding our product range and investing in our delivery fleet to ensure continuity of service.”
“As an Irish family-owned business with 145 years of experience supplying Irish food and beverage businesses, we pride ourselves on the quality service our team provides to customers,” he added. “Our unrivalled product range and unmatched delivery options ensure the right products reach our customers exactly when they need them. We’re Ireland’s leading wholesaler with a world class food and beverage offering and we are here to support Irish on-trade business as they remerge from an extremely difficult period.”
Related Articles
M&S co-chief executive officer Katie Bickerstaffe to step down →
Bank of Ireland appoints Alan Durcan as director of Distribution Channels →
Lindsay Brady appointed president of Ornua Foods North America →
Fans 0
Followers