Kingsland Drinks and Amber Beverage UK agree asset purchase of Ten Locks distribution business

ABUK to represent Ten Locks brands and bring the team into its UK operations

Amber Beverage UK has completed an asset purchase deal with Kingsland Drinks-owned, Manchester-based specialist distribution business, Ten Locks. As part of the deal, ABUK will become the UK distributor of the Ten Locks portfolio of brands with immediate effect and welcome the Ten Locks team into its operations. 

Among the Ten Locks brands entering the ABUK portfolio are: El Tequileño, Lind & Lime Gin, Portobello Road Distillery, Three Spirit, Banhez Mezcal and Savoia. These brands join ABUK’s stable of renowned brands, including Stoli Vodka, Flor de Caña Rum, Faustino Rioja, Arette and Fortaleza Tequila, and Arran Scotch Whisky.  

ABUK’s strategic priority has been developing a comprehensive, sustainable portfolio to service every channel and geography of the UK market, with brands of integrity and authenticity that have transparent sourcing, quality and compelling brand stories.  

ABUK’s CEO, Sam Thackeray, says, “We are absolutely delighted to welcome this new suite of brands to our portfolio. The Ten Locks team, our new colleagues, have done a fantastic job with these brands, giving them a really strong position in the UK market. The ABUK team is really looking forward to working together to grow them further, seeding them into new customers and geographies through our signature omni-channel approach and expanded footprint.”  

Thackeray continues, “In what is a distinctly tricky time for the drinks trade and hospitality industry, with all the negative news and legislative and fiscal challenges, it is wonderful to be able to focus on growth through new, dynamic brands and highly ambitious people.” 

Sarah Baldwin, Managing Director of employee-owned Kingsland Drinks, says, “Our deal with ABUK supports our strategy to maximise the value of our world-class capabilities and infrastructure at our site in Irlam, Greater Manchester.  

“We’re preparing for investment in 2026 to enhance our full-category services, which already include our NPD lab for wine and spirits development, high-speed canning lines, and bottling and bag-in-box lines. Streamlining our business operations positions us strongly for future growth.” 

Baldwin continues: ““Our Ten Locks team built a standout portfolio of spirits, successfully embedding them into venues and retail outlets across the country. They embody the passion, teamwork and expertise that define our employee-owned business, and we’re confident they’ll continue to thrive with the ABUK team.” 

The full portfolio of Ten Locks’ brands will be available to order from ABUK from Monday, 13th October onwards.  

The addition of the Ten Locks brands follows ABUK’s portfolio expansions in the last 12 months to welcome ODK by Orsadrinks, Zanin liqueurs and Peddlers Shanghai Craft Gin. 

To explore opportunities with ABUK’s newly expanded portfolio, please contact your ABUK account manager or sales.uk@amberbev.com