THE Wisynco Group has entered the alcoholic beverages manufacturing space with the acquisition of assets from Ringtail Bottlers Limited. The acquired assets include brands such as Irie Moss, Prestige Liqueurs, Bandolero, and Privateer, and includes signing an exclusive long-term co-packing agreement for Stone’s Ginger Wine.

The deal also includes Wisynco acquiring a 30 per cent minority stake in Ringtail Holdings Limited, the parent company of Select Brands.

“After a strategic review of our production capacity we have identified the major factor holding us back: consistent supply of our growing demand. We have grown out of our facility,” shared David McConnell, co-managing director of Select Brands Limited.

According to McConnell, the divestment of Select Brand’s production and distribution arm goes beyond space limitations, noting that the move will consolidate expenses, reduce operational costs, and strengthen its overall business model. The company admitted it had grown increasingly frustrated with its inability to consistently meet rising demand, particularly as it seeks to expand sales to the Diaspora. While Wisynco will assume production of Stone’s Ginger Wine for Jamaica, the Caribbean, and the United States, along with Ringtail’s portfolio of brands including Irie Moss, Prestige Liqueurs, Bandolero, and Privateer, Select Brands will continue to market and distribute Stone’s Ginger Wine and the accompanying brands in Jamaica.

“With this investment Wisynco is investing in Select Brands…and there will be no changes in the strategic direction, no changes in leaders, no changes in management, and no changes in the brands that Select distributes,” McConnell clarified.

McConnell added that the decision to divest was not taken lightly.

“As a founding director who sees our employees as family it was very hard to make this decision. But when you sit in negotiations and learn about the other company, you either grow to admire them or not, and we’ve learnt to admire Wisynco,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

Select Brands, a distributor of wines and spirits, approached Wisynco after it announced in July that it was eyeing a move into producing alcoholic beverages. Both companies pointed to their shared values of putting customers first, innovation, and operational efficiency as the basis for the partnership. The divestment will allow Select Brands to concentrate on building its portfolio of alcoholic beverages.

“Now was the right time for this partnership. It complements Wisynco’s broader growth strategy while aligning us with the pre-eminent leader in wines, spirits, and the premium on-premise trade. Both companies will continue to operate independently, but with strategies that deliver strong commercial synergies in promotions and route-to-market execution,” noted Andrew Mahfood, CEO of Wisynco Group Limited.

In 2023, Select Brands partnered with colleagues in Barbados to acquire the global intellectual property rights to Stone’s Ginger Wine, positioning Select Brands on the international stage of the wine industry. Previously Stone’s Ginger Wine, sold in the United States, had been manufactured in the United Kingdom before production was relocated to Jamaica. McConnell also shared that local manufacturing is a key strategy for the business, allowing it to leverage consumer preference for Jamaican-grown ginger in the wine. In November 2024 Select Brands introduced Stone’s Sorrel Ginger Wine, the first innovation under the brand since the acquisition. The company said the product has performed strongly in the Jamaican market and is targeted for expansion into international markets.

“I believe we can grow Stone’s production capability almost by double in the next 12 months,” Sean Scott, deputy CEO of Wisynco Group told the Business Observer.

Now celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2025, Wisynco is the country’s largest beverage manufacturer and distributor, producing brands such as Wata, CranWata, Boom, and Bigga, while also bottling internationally renowned beverages including Coca-Cola.

“This acquisition and partnership mark a significant milestone in Wisynco’s 60th anniversary year as we continue to expand our beverage and spirits portfolio,” added Mahfood.

MAHFOOD…this acquisition and partnership mark a significant milestone in Wisynco’s 60th anniversary year as we continue to expand our beverage and spirits portfolio (Photo: Karl Mclarty)

A selection of alcoholic beverages from Select Brands Limited, including Stone’s Ginger Wine and Stone’s Sorrel Ginger Wine, on display and which will be distributed by Wisynco Group following the partnership. (Photo: Karl Mclarty)