Drinks

Bewley's Seeking to Expand its UK and US Operations

By Steve Wynne-Jones
Bewley's Seeking to Expand its UK and US Operations

Ireland's biggest coffee supplier, Bewley's, is seeking new acquisitions in the UK and US, as the company continues to see success outside of the country.

Bewley's, which is owned by the Campbell Bewley group, has seen the majority of its expansion come in the UK and US markets, where it has acquired a number of coffee businesses over the past five years.

Speaking to the Irish Independent, Bewley's managing director Jim Corbett said the majority of the company's growth has come from the US and UK and it plans to expand there, although no major acquisition is imminent.

"Our UK business has grown 17pc like-for-like in the past 12 months. We are getting a great return on our capital," said Corbett. Bewley's bought distribution business Peros in the UK last summer, which had a turnover of €22 million. It is expected that its next acquisition would be of similar size.

In Ireland, Bewley's sales are expected to be in the region of €170 million, up from around €80 million ion 2013. Its flagship Grafton Street store (pictured) is expected to reopen in the summer.

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