InBev UK and Scottish & Newcastle UK plan to transfer responsibility of the Murphy’s brand to S&N, when the current distribution agreement ends in February 2009.
The Whitbread Beer Company (as InBev UK was then known) took on distribution of Murphy’s in the UK on-trade in March 1988 and it was launched in the off trade in a can featuring the Draughtflow system in 1992. Interbrew UK signed a new agreement to handle Murphy’s in the UK in August 2002.
Stuart McFarlane, President of Inbev UK and Ireland said: “We appreciate that Heineken is the ultimate brand owner so we understand that it wants to take total responsibility for the brand’s brewing and marketing in the UK."
S&NUK was acquired by Heineken, the ultimate owner of the Murphy’s brand, in April 2008 and is now the UK operating company for the Heineken International business. S&N will become responsible for the UK brewing, marketing and distribution rights of Murphy’s and will work closely with Heineken Ireland to further develop the brand in the UK.
