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Global drinks company launches This week the drink's industry sees the launch of Neqtar, a company that will develop and supply wine, fruit and vegetable juice products to the global market. Formed when UK wine importer, HwCg, acquired Australian-based wine, fruit and vegetable distributor, SdS; Neqtar will continue to run both companies in their respective markets. Neqtar will also look to expand its new business opportunities, globally, across the portfolio. Guy Young, who remains the managing director of HwCg, will take the role of chief executive officer at Neqtar and Jim Furze, commercial director of HwCg, will become chief operating officer. Young and Furze have worked together since the merger of Hedley Wright and Castle Growers, to form HwCg, in 1999. David Stevenson, managing director of SdS, will continue to run the Australia business and will sit on the Neqtar board. Commenting on the launch Young said: "We are very excited about Neqtar and the opportunities that will arise from the new business. Plans have been in place for some time and HwCg has been restructured to prepare for this. It will allow us to become a bigger player in the UK market for wine and ultimately to develop products in other categories and markets. "Neqtar will allow us to grow the portfolio and offering to our customers, in both the multiple and independent sectors. It provides a business model for us to emulate in the future, where we are able to control the product from vine to shelf. We are researching the market to develop the business plan for Neqtar in the long term. However, our first priority is to develop new wine brands for Australia, from the Robert's Estate Winery, which formed part of the SdS acquisition." Note to editors: Neqtar is a wine and beverage company incorporating HwCg Wine and Beverages UK and SdS Wine and Beverages Australia.
Date: 22nd February 2006
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