Page 89 - IAADFS Summit 2023 Special Edition

INSIDER

Andy Consuegra: Southern Glazer’s sale “important evolution”
for WEBB Banks

Travel Markets Insider had the entrepreneurial culture.”
opportunity to speak with WEBB Banks Consuegra says that the time was right
CEO Andy Consuegra about what the new for the next evolution for his company.
arrangement between WEBB Banks and “The merger between WEBB
Southern Glazer’s means for the companies and Banks in 2016 was a pivotal and
and the market. monumentally important milestone in the
Consuegra tells TMI that the evolution of our company, and in much
partnership is a great fit and offers seamless the same way, this acquisition is similar.
synergies between the two organizations. We wouldn’t have achieved this level
“WEBB Banks has experienced of success if WEBB and Banks hadn’t
tremendous growth over the past several merged, and I think we’ll be saying the
years thanks to our employees’ dedication, same thing a couple of years from now
strong strategic partnerships with supplier about Southern Glazer’s,” says Consuegra
partners, and in-depth knowledge of the “I would also like to acknowledge
region and the travel retail sector,” says Robert Bowman, who ran and owned
Consuegra. Andy Consuegra, WEBB Banks CEO Banks Channel with whom we merged
“By becoming part of Southern 6 years ago, for his partnership and
Glazer’s, we can access additional intimate knowledge of those markets. And leadership. We wouldn’t be in the position
resources, industry insights, best practices that extends to travel retail, military, and we are in today if it weren’t for Robert and
and more modern technology systems, all the cruise channel as well, our people are the successful merger that created WEBB
necessary for us to continue to improve the best in the business.” Banks.”
service to our growing base of suppliers Consuegra says the new organization This is the next step for WEBB Banks.
and customers. Truly, we have found a will benefit both Southern Glazer’s and “This is an exciting time for us, and
great partner in Southern Glazer’s, who WEBB Banks. it marks an important evolution to our
like us are a family-owned company that “This is a positive for everyone, for capabilities and the service we provide
takes pride in a strong company culture and our company and employees and theirs, to our customers and supplier partners,
diverse workforce, and shares our values and for our customers and suppliers, and and improved focus we’ll have on our
and commitment to building world-class theirs outside the Unites States, specifically suppliers’ brands, thanks to the support
wine and spirits brands. I see nothing but in the Caribbean and Central America as and the resources that Southern Glazer’s
tremendous success on the horizon.” well as Duty Free.” provides. Our team stays in place, Jose,
Consuegra says no other company WEBB Banks’ culture complements myself, Kam and everyone on our great
has the strong customer relationships that what Southern Glazer’s has built over the team. Curran Zin Welch will continue
WEBB Banks has built up over the years in past several years in their Travel Sales & heading up our Travel Retail team on
the Caribbean. Export division, which will now fold into the WB side. We are all committed to
“We not only operate in the region, WEBB Banks, says Consuegra. staying on and continuing this journey.
but we have also experienced and talented “And not only do we bring a great, We are looking forward to leveraging this
teams on the ground who live and work diverse team with strong international partnership and further accelerating growth
in our key islands and countries who have expertise, we also bring a very of our supplier partners’ brands.”

About WEBB Banks:
IWSR: Americas TR spirits volumes to reach 2019 Miami-based WEBB Banks is the
levels by 2024 top regional domestic distributor of wines
and spirits in the Atlantic Basin, as well
as the military channel and travel retail in
Volumes in travel retail Americas highlighting the strength of the U.S. the Americas, and is the leading beverage
are forecast to reach 2019 levels by 2024, market. Categories with a traditionally high alcohol supplier among core wholesalers.
while value is expected to recover sooner, market share have recovered faster after the Focused particularly on the traveling
according to data from IWSR Drinks pandemic - whisky and brandies are now consumer, the company specializes in high
Market Analysis. IWSR forecasts show the believed to be close to pre-pandemic levels tourist markets, the cruise channel, and key
volume of the travel retail market in the in TR Americas,” says Jairo Lopez Suarez, resorts and hotels, with a portfolio of iconic
Americas to grow at a compound annual Global Travel Retail Manager, IWSR. brands that includes Tito’s Handmade
growth rate of +12% between 2022 and “Agave-based spirits – mainly due to Vodka, Jägermeister, Disaronno, Skrewball,
2026. their popularity among US nationals – is Whistle Pig, Ghost Tequila, Robert
“Around 50% of TR Americas now believed to have overtaken rum, at Mondavi, Stags’ Leap, Caymus, Penfolds,
volumes in 2021 were sold in the U.S., least in value terms.” and Rodney Strong Vineyards.

89 April 2023 Summit of the Americas