Bewley’s has announced that it has sold its UK business operations to long-term partner and customer Cafédirect.
Cafédirect plc started as a pioneering social enterprise 32 years ago to improve the lives of smallholder farmers and to champion better ways of doing business and are a leading brand in the UK at-home coffee market.
They are taking over the Bewley’s business to grow their out-of-home footprint.
The deal is underpinned by a long-term agreement for Bewley’s to exclusively manufacture and supply all Cafédirect’s retail product.
“We are particularly happy to be handing our UK business over to Cafédirect. I have personally worked with the team there for many years and know they share our values,” said Bewley’s Tea & Coffee Ltd Managing Director Jason Doyle.
“Like Bewley’s, they are renowned for their ethical work practices, working with producers to provide a better future for growers and their families.
As our relationship has grown over 15 years, it has become apparent that we are strategically placed to assist each other with our separate long-term goals.
This leaves the Irish team to really focus on changing the face of Bewley’s in Ireland, where we are constantly innovating and investing in our team, our brand and our manufacturing facility”.
“As a long-term partner of Bewley’s we are incredibly honoured to take over their UK business and also to future-proof our coffee supply with a long-term agreement with Bewley’s in Ireland,” said Cafédirect CEO John Steel.
“We have always enjoyed a very close relationship with the Bewley’s team and business and a key reason for this is that, amongst other things, we share a lot of common values across both of our businesses”.
Mr Doyle said that Bewley’s are seeing strong performance in the Irish market in 2023.
An iconic Irish brand, Bewley’s has unveiled a new look on the shelves, aimed at refreshing the brand to capture a wider demographic.
Bewley’s has also become the first major Irish coffee brand to partner with Café Femenino, championing an initiative which has sparked a rise in women’s incomes and protection in previously male-dominated and impoverished communities.
Bewley’s has also become the first official coffee partner at two of Ireland’s most celebrated festivals – Electric Picnic and Kaleidoscope.
