Scotland's largest independent drinks supplier has been created, through Glasgow business Wm Morton's purchase of Inverarity Vaults, based in South Lanarkshire. The merging of the two creates a staff of 150 and a projected turnover of £50m.

The merger is set to boost distribution capabilities, as both boast their own warehouses and in-house logistics teams. Clients will also benefit from Inverarity's WSET School of Excellence training programme and Inverarity founder Hamish Martin is confident that 'It really will be "business as usual" as far as our clients are concerned, that was a key driver in accepting the deal.'

The first order of business is set to be the blending of Inverarity's wine portfolio with Wm Morton subsidiary Cheviot Fine Wines, during which time Martin has stressed that the fabric of Inverarity will remain unaffected.

Martin, who sold Inverarity for an undisclosed sum, will be joining the Board of Directors at Wm Morton to oversee the evolution of the new wine business alongside MD Stephen Russell and both men are extremely optimistic about the future. Martin described the merger as 'a natural alliance [Wm Morton] are a truly independent Scottish company and founded on the same family values and commitment to staff as Inverarity. Our specialist wine knowledge and service combined with their buying power, financial strength and composite drinks offering will establish the strongest-performing independent Scottish wine and spirit merchant in Scotland.' Russell added, 'Combining the talents of two Scottish companies will strengthen and sustain our position in today’s marketplace and open the door to tremendous opportunities. Increased buying power, improved efficiencies and an enhanced portfolio of products will lead to a better offering for our enlarged customer base. And as Inverarity already has many customers south of the border, this bigger and better wine distributor will create more potential for success in the rest of the UK.'

News item from Imbibe.com, 11-07-2011