BWG Group has announced the purchase of 4 Aces Wholesale, the established independent wholesaler supplying the grocery retail, licensed and foodservice trades in Ireland, and a member of the Gala Retail Group.
The deal, subject to approval from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, was agreed on for an undisclosed sum.
4 Aces, which reported a turnover of €57.5m for 2016 and employs 85 staff, is a family-led business currently owned by principals Liam Linden and Pascal O’Brien. The company has significant wholesale operations in Portlaoise, Navan and Clonmel from where it directly supplies over 1,500 independent retail, foodservice and licensed trade customers throughout the midlands.
Both Liam and Pascal will be remaining with the company following the acquisition and it will be business as usual for employees, customers and suppliers. The company will continue to trade under the 4 Aces and Better Deal brand names and be run by the existing management team.
As part of the transaction, Gala Retail has accepted BWG’s application for membership of the Gala wholesaler network. Gala Retail, established in 1998, is an independent network of 220 stores nationwide, serviced nationally by nine wholesale members.
Leo Crawford, Group CEO, BWG Group, said: “4 Aces Wholesale is an excellent business with a strong reputation for delivering a first-class service to its customers and the management team will make an excellent addition to our business. We are delighted that we will be joining the Gala wholesaler network and we look forward to contributing to the continued success of the Gala retailers who are currently well served by 4 Aces.”
Gary Desmond, Gala Retail Group CEO, added: “Gala Retail welcomes BWG to the Gala Group. BWG’s expertise, commitment and investment will help to strengthen the Gala brand as we enter our 20th year in business. The Gala stores that are currently serviced by 4 Aces Wholesale will have continuity in service and supply, and this new arrangement with BWG will have no effect on Gala Retail, with Gala retailers continuing to trade proudly under the Gala name throughout Ireland.”
BWG has a turnover of approximately €1.4bn and through its network of 20 Value Centre branches, foodservice depots, and a 240,000 sq. ft. National Distribution Centre. It will seek to grow the 4 Aces business and enhance its service to customers, including its Gala retailer network, by leveraging BWG’s wholesale experience, expertise and buying power, along with its market leading supply chain.
