With unrivalled experience of advising clients who operate in the Food and Beverage sector, both here in Ireland and internationally, Matheson is leading the way in Ireland's largest indigenous sector.
Highlighting the extent of business the firm has advised on within the Food and Beverage sector, Brian McCloskey Partner in Matheson's Corporate Department said
"As a firm, we have advised on many high profile M&A transactions in the Irish Food and Beverage sector over the last 10 years, working with the likes of Beam, William Grants & Sons, Danone Nutricia, Liffey Meats and Monaghan Mushrooms. As a result, our lawyers have developed an industry knowledge which enables us to understand the key legal issues relevant for clients when buying, selling or investing in businesses in the Food and Beverage sector."
In recent months, Matheson has advised on the two largest transactions undertaken this year in the Food and Beverage sector – the €70 million acquisition of Manor Farm by Scandi Standard and Gruppo Campari on the US$165 million sale of its Irish Mist and Carolans brands to Heaven Hill Distilleries Inc.
Our role in advising Gruppo Campari continues a series of M&A transactions in the drinks / spirit sector in recent years, including advising Sazerac on the purchase of Paddy Irish Whiskey (€90 million); Brown-Forman on its acquisition of Slane Castle Irish Whiskey; Beam Inc on its acquisition of Cooley Distillery (€73 million) and Stock Spirits Group plc on its investment in Quintessential Brands Irish Whiskey (€18.3 million).
Looking ahead to the remainder of 2017 and into 2018, Brian added
"We expect to see further M&A activity in the Food and Beverage sector during the remainder of 2017 and into 2018. In particular, in response to uncertainty caused by Brexit and the fluctuating Sterling / Euro exchange rate, we are increasingly advising domestic and international Food and Beverage clients looking to invest in or acquire businesses in Europe to access new markets."
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