UK – Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company (CMBC) has revealed its decision to close the longstanding Ringwood Brewery and its associated shop, signalling a shift in its operational strategy.
In June, CMBC set out plans to put the brewery – as well as ale brands including Razorback, Old Thumper, Boondoggle and Fortyniner – on the market.
Under the proposed plan, Ringwood Brewery’s premises will be put up for sale, and production of its renowned brands, including Razorback, Fortyniner, Boondoggle, and Old Thumper, will be relocated to other facilities within the CMBC network.
Specifically, cask variants of Razorback, Fortyniner, and Boondoggle will be moved to Banks’s Brewery, while Old Thumper cask brewing will find a new home at Marston’s Brewery.
The decision to close Ringwood Brewery comes after six months of unsuccessful attempts to secure a buyer for the operation in Hampshire.
The move comes as part of the company’s broader restructuring efforts, aimed at streamlining production and optimizing resources within its network of breweries.
CMBC cited the site’s limited space and residential location as significant challenges for expansion and improvement. The necessary enhancements to remain competitive were deemed both challenging and excessively costly.
Ringwood Brewery, founded in 1978, gained popularity for its brewery tours and relocated to its current site on Christchurch Road in 1986.
In 2007, Marston’s acquired Ringwood for £19.2 million (US$20.7M). The brewing giant later divested its brewing operations in 2020, entering a joint venture with the Carlsberg Group to establish the Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company.
Paul Davies, CEO of CMBC, acknowledged the difficulty of the decision, emphasizing the pride the company takes in the dedication of its Ringwood Brewery team.
He stated, “While we believe this is the right course of action for our business, it is by no means a decision we have taken lightly.”
Over the coming weeks, CMBC will engage in consultations with the 10 colleagues currently working at the Ringwood site. The brewery will continue to operate during this period, with a primary focus on supporting the affected colleagues through the challenging transition.
Earlier last month, in efforts to increase the company’s footprint in Asia, Carlberg’s Malaysian arm signed a deal with Sapporo to distribute the Japanese beer brand in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia.
CMBC also announced investment plans in its brewery in Northampton, UK, as part of driving its sustainability and development plans.
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