Two UK wine merchants are to join forces after Kent-based Rodney Fletcher Vintners announced that it had acquired online wine retailer, The Oakbridge Wine Company.
The takeover will allow Rodney Fletcher Vintners – with family roots in the wine & port trade dating back to 1930 – to enter the growing online wine market; building upon The Oakbridge Wine Company’s budding model of sourcing fine wines and supplying direct to private customers via its e-commerce platform.
The amalgamation of the two firms – which will trade as Rodney Fletcher Vintners – will expand their portfolio of top wines in the UK, with over 700 wines available for customers to purchase online.
The acquisition of The Oakbridge Wine Company is a critical moment in the growth strategy of Rodney Fletcher Vintners.
The wine market has faced several difficult years and tough trading conditions following the recession and successive duty rises however Rodney Fletcher Vintners believe the merger will allow the company to continue as a leader in the UK market.
Tim Fletcher, managing director of Rodney Fletcher Vintners, said: “Consolidation has become commonplace in the wine industry over the last few years – it’s important for us to stay focused on the market and offer the best possible service to our customers so joining together with another company was always going to be essential to our future in the industry.
“As an independent, family-run business it was important that we found the right partner with whom to do this, and we feel that we have found that common ground with The Oakbridge Wine Company.”
“The Oakbridge Wine Company have built-up a successful business in the UK, proving themselves to be highly competitive as an online retailer.
“They have a number of achievements of which to be extremely proud and we hope that this merger will open up a whole host of opportunities for us together as a business.
There are many corresponding aspects within our business – we both share a commitment to providing not only the best wines, but also the best service for our customers – we hope that by joining forces we can continue to go from strength to strength.”
