De Monnik Dranken partners with Franklin & Sons

Distributor De Monnik Dranken has become the exclusive importer of premium mixer brand Franklin & Sons.

The news comes after De Monnik Dranken secured a distribution deal with Franklin & Sons’ parent company, Global Brands, in the Dutch market, effective since 1 September.

Luke Olde Monnikhof, commercial director and owner of De Monnik Dranken, said: “Over the past few years, our company has taken significant and forward-thinking measures to enhance our import portfolio.

“To fully optimise the synergy between our spirits brands and the ever-developing market, we were aware that a premium mixer brand with a strong heritage was still something which was missing in our portfolio.

“With the diverse range of Franklin & Sons, our team now has the ability to offer high-quality, natural tonics, sodas and soft drinks that complement our premium spirits perfectly.

“Furthermore, we believe that [culturally], there is a good fit with Global Brands to shape the future for Franklin & Sons for the Dutch market.”

De Monnik Dranken is a family-owned business and was established in 1918. It is currently operated by third- and fourth-generation family members.

Global Brands was founded in 1997 by Steve Perez; its portfolio today includes tonics, mixers, soft drinks, spirits, liqueurs, beers, ready-to-serve cocktails, and ready-to-drink beverages.

Dale Perry, senior international market manager at Global Brands, said: “Our international business has been booming over recent years, as we’ve opened new markets and grown existing key markets around the world with our diverse portfolio – most significantly with Franklin & Sons.

“Despite major success and huge growth in neighbouring markets such as Belgium and Germany, finding the right exclusive partner in the Netherlands has eluded us until now.

“Having had experience of personally working very closely with the De Monnik Dranken team in the past and knowing their excellent portfolio of import brands, I was confident they would be an ideal partner, but was aware that it was not a category they had flexed their import muscles with to date.

“After our discussions, it became apparent that our company values were very closely aligned and that the joint opportunity to partner in the Netherlands was very exciting for both parties.”

De Monnik Dranken won ‘Distributor of the Year’ during The Spirits Business Awards 2023.

Franklin & Sons added two brand ambassadors to its UK and international teams earlier this year.