La Martiniquaise-Bardinet plans to close its recently acquired Hooghoudt distillery in Groningen, the Netherlands, by the end of 2025.
The French spirits group, known for brands such as Glen Moray and Cutty Sark, will relocate production to its facility in Ghent, Belgium.
In a statement on LinkedIn, the Benelux unit of the group said: “The Hooghoudt brand will continue to exist as normal after the relocation of production.”
The Ghent site, which will start producing Hooghoudt brands from 2026 is “known for its expertise in the production of Dutch spirits and guarantees that the quality of Hooghoudt’s products will remain unchanged”, the unit added.
La Martiniquaise-Bardinet acquired the Hooghoudt distillery in May.
At the time, Lieven Stevens, managing director of La Martiniquaise Benelux said the acquisition “significantly strengthens its market position in the Netherlands”.
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By GlobalDataWithout disclosing the number of employees that will be affected by the closure, La Martiniquaise’s Benelux business said it is “aware of the impact of these plans on its employees and their families” and that trade unions had been informed.
“In any case, La Martiniquaise Benelux intends to remain committed to its ties with Groningen, the birthplace of the Hooghoudt brand. Cooperation with local partners will continue unabated, as will contacts with existing and new relations,” the business said.
The closure coincides with La Martiniquaise-Bardinet’s acquisition of a majority stake in UK-based Warner’s Distillery, announced yesterday (22 July).
Warner’s spirits will sit alongside the likes of Glen Moray and Cutty Sark whiskies and Bardinet Brandy. The French spirits heavyweight also produces two gin brands, Generous Gin and Gibson’s.
When asked about the group’s growth plans for the UK and oversees by Just Drinks, co-founder Tina Warner said: “There are great opportunities to grow locally across the UK on and off trade and internationally capitalising on areas of white space in some of Europe’s bigger gin markets where we are currently not available.”
La Martiniquaise-Bardinet will also takeover distribution of Warner’s drinks in the UK from Sazerac, she added.
Warner’s offers a variety of gins, a spiced rum, and two non-alcoholic spirits.
It also produces a multi-spirits range called Trash & Treasure, featuring flavoured rums and vodkas.
Warner’s products are sold in 30 countries, including the US, Australia, and UAE.
