BREAKING: Kildare drinks company set for major expansion

Kildare town-based JJ Mahon & Sons, one of the largest independent drinks wholesalers in the country, has ac quired the business of Drino Drinks, a wholesale supplier based in Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim.

Following the acquisition a new entity called Connacht Bottlers will be established.

Connacht Bottlers will be based at the existing Drino Drinks distribution centre at Grange, Carrick-on-Shannon. All staff employed by Drino on the date of the takeover will transfer to Connacht Bottlers, which will be the largest independent drinks wholesaler in the region.

The business will continue to supply customers with spirits, kegs, bottled beers, craft beers, soft drinks, snacks and barware, as well as wine brands already available from JJ Mahon & Sons.

Established in 1949, JJ Mahon & Sons currently employ over 40 full time staff in Kildare town, servicing the hospitality industry across Dublin, Leinster and is a well known local supplier. Drino was founded 65 years ago and is a wholesale supplier to the hospitality industry in the north west, west and midlands.

Kevin Mahon, chief executive of JJ Mahon & Sons, described the establishment of Connacht Bottlers as a significant achievement for the company established over 70 years ago by his late father.

He added: “I look forward to working with the staff who have transferred from Drino, as we continue to service and support existing customers and attract new business.”

Drino was established by the late Pat McGovern in 1957 and it developed into a thriving business.

Cian McGovern, managing director of Drino, thanked the company’s customers and staff for their loyalty and support over many decades. He said: “Connacht Bottlers will ensure it is business as usual for the existing Drino customers and staff, while JJ Mahon’s long history and experience servicing the hospitality industry mean customers will have access to a wider range of products.”

The original JJ Mahon business was established by John and Gertrude Mahon and their family in 1949. The business had a bottling plant in Kildare town and also produced its own minerals under the ‘Curra’ brand. While bottling production ceased in 1976, JJ Mahon began distributing drinks on behalf of the main breweries, mineral suppliers, wine and spirit merchants.

JJ Mahon & Sons is now one of the country’s largest independent, family owned drinks companies. 

Sixty five years ago Pat McGovern and his brother Mark commenced making squashes, cordials and glucose drinks at his home (Rantogue Stores) outside Drumshanbo. These drinks were sold under the Drino brand.

After a number of years concentrating solely on producing soft drinks it was decided to gradually wind down production and instead concentrate on supplying the bar trade. In early 2005, Pat and his team moved to a new state of the art facility in Carrick on Shannon.

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