Downton, one of the UK's leading independent logistics companies, has secured a five-year deal worth around £25m to manage the warehousing and distribution services for Magners Cider at their national distribution centre in Avonmouth, Bristol.
The distribution centre will service Magners' combined cider business following
their £45m acquisition of Gaymers Cider from Constetllation Europe last year.
MD Andy Downton said of the contract win: "This is a truly flagship contract for us, and we are looking forward to embarking on what we hope will be a long and mutually beneficial partnership with a true giant of the cider industry.
"Although a national business with UK footprint, we are proud of our West Country roots," he continued, "and cider is a big part of that regional heritage - naturally, we are delighted to be working with the company behind the country's best known portfolio of ciders!"
The Avonmouth hub will handle products from the Gaymers cider mill at Shepton Mallet, Somerset, which includes the popular brands Olde English, Gaymers and Blackthorn, in conjunction with the well known Magners brands that will come in from Clonmell in Ireland.
He consolidated distribution of the four brands comes as a result of the sale of Gaymers Cider by drinks firm Constellation Brands to Magners' parent company C&C Group.
"Downton were chosen for several reasons," a spokesman for the C&C Group said. "Their long history of service to Gaymers, the simplicity of their solution and their pragmatic approach to our business all contributed to us awarding them this contract."