Durrant Pate/Contributor

Trinidad-based distribution company, A.S. Bryden & Sons Holdings has acquired majority shares in Stansfeld Scott Barbados (SSB) Limited.

A.S. Bryden & Son has acquired a 55 per cent controlling stake in SSB, which is a leading distributor and retailer of wines, spirits and consumer health products in Barbados. The company was listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) main market last November and closed trading on Thursday (March 7) going down by $0.38 to J$40.62 with 1,057 units exchanging hands

SSB’s products include El Dorado and Plantation rums, Glenfiddich whisky, Stolichnaya vodka, Banrock Station and Lamothe Parrot wines. The portfolio also includes Twining’s teas, Haliborange vitamins and Endura Malt. 

In addition to its distribution business, SSB operates six Wine World-branded retail stores across Barbados. 

Benefits of the transaction

The transaction will allow A.S. Bryden to expand its premium beverage business outside of Trinidad for the first time. Arising from the transaction, Brian Cabral, the outgoing chairman of SSB, will retain an ownership interest in the company. 

He will also remain a director of the company. 

Stansfeld Scott International, a master distributor of wines and spirits across the Caribbean and Central America, which is also owned by Cabral and his partners, Jayshree Kessaram and Indra Cabral will not be impacted by this transaction. 

Commenting on the transaction, A.S. Bryden chairman, P.B. Scott said, “Brian Cabral, his family and his team have spent decades carefully building Stansfeld Scott into the highest quality wines and spirits distributor and retailer in Barbados. We look forward to joining forces and using A.S. Bryden’s resources to serve Stansfeld Scott’s employees, customers and its principals.”

Seprod, one of Jamaica’s biggest regional manufacturing and distribution conglomerates, completed its acquisition of A.S. Bryden for US$312.7 million more than a year ago. To fund the transaction, Seprod used a loan of US$172.4 million (JA$3.9 billion) and issued preference shares to the tune of US$140.3 million (JA$3.19 billion).