Headpoint Advisors has advised the shareholders of Baby Bottles (Wholesale) Limited on its sale to JT Barton Group Limited. The deal is Bartons Group’s first acquisition and brings together two established family-owned drinks wholesalers serving the North West and the Midlands.

Founded in Coventry in 1986, Baby Bottles supplies alcoholic drinks, snacks and bar supplies to pubs, bars and other on-trade customers across the West and East Midlands. The business has built longstanding relationships with major drinks brands including Molson Coors, Heineken, AB InBev, Carlsberg Britvic and Asahi.

Bartons Group is an independent, family-run drinks wholesaler serving pubs, bars, clubs and restaurants across the North West. It also supplies wholesale customers across a wider area, including the Midlands and North Wales. The acquisition gives Bartons an established on-trade delivery business in the Midlands and gives Baby Bottles the support of a larger group while retaining its identity and day-to-day independence. 

Between them, the two businesses reported annual turnover of approximately £76m and employed 135 people.

Craig Barton, Managing Director of Bartons Group, said

“Baby Bottles is a fantastic business with an excellent reputation, a loyal customer base and a dedicated team who have worked hard to make it the success it is today.”

Sam Wright, newly appointed Managing Director of Baby Bottles, said

“Becoming part of the Barton Group gives us the confidence and support to build on what we have already achieved, while retaining the identity and personal approach that make Baby Bottles special.”

Headpoint ran a bespoke sale process for the shareholders, helping secure a long-term home for the business and its people. Henry Baker led the process, assisted by Ben Skym, with partner support from Mark Wilson.

Higgs LLP provided legal advice to the sellers, and Barkers Accountants provided accounting and tax advice. The transaction value was undisclosed.

Read more about Headpoint’s work on the Baby Bottles sale.