KOSCAB Holdings Ltd. (“KOSCAB”) has announced the acquisition of a majority interest in SLU Beverages, Ltd. (“SLU”), a company within the Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV group. SLU holds controlling stakes in Banks Holdings Limited (BHL) in Barbados and the St. Vincent Brewery Limited (SVBL) in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
BHL comprises Banks Brewery Limited, Pine Hill Dairy, and Delivery and Handling Services (DHS), while SVBL is best known for producing the iconic Hairoun Beer in St. Vincent.
Already managing Coca-Cola operations in Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, KOSCAB says this move significantly expands its regional presence and strengthens its position as a comprehensive beverage provider. Brands under the umbrella now include Pine Hill, Banks, Hairoun, Wadadli, Kubuli, and all Coca-Cola affiliated products.
Carlos Diaz, CEO of KOSCAB Holdings, stated:
> “Several years ago, KOSCAB Holdings initiated a strategic plan to consolidate franchise bottling operations into larger, more efficient entities, while diversifying our beverage portfolio to meet evolving consumer preferences. The Caribbean market offers substantial opportunities to advance this strategy. We regard BHL and SVBL as valuable additions to our family of companies and value their role in our ongoing vision to become a comprehensive beverage company.”
Under the new ownership, BHL and SVBL will operate as independent entities. KOSCAB intends to implement best practices across operations, product innovation, and service while reinforcing its Caribbean growth strategy.
Shafia London will take on the role of General Manager, leading the daily operations of both BHL and SVBL under the new ownership. She commented:
> “We welcome this transaction and the sustained investment in our production facilities. By continuing to strengthen our production capabilities and commercial operations, we expect to deliver enhanced services to our customers, foster market growth, and provide a robust platform for BHL and SVBL to contribute to the KOSCAB family and the socio-economic advancement of communities in Barbados and St. Vincent.”
Both KOSCAB and Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV expressed full confidence in the transition, assuring that service delivery will remain uninterrupted during the handover.
About KOSCAB Holdings and CC1 Companies:
KOSCAB Holdings is a joint venture between The Coca-Cola Company and BEPENSA, managing bottling and distribution of Coca-Cola brands in several Eastern Caribbean territories. Parent company CC1 Companies operates an extensive beverage and distribution network across the Caribbean and employs over 3,000 people. Their portfolio includes Coca-Cola Puerto Rico Bottlers, Caribbean Bottlers Trinidad & Tobago, CC One Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico Coffee Roasters, and more.