GERMANY/UK. Gebr Heinemann has reached an agreement to complete the purchase of joint subsidiary Heinemann Scorpio International Holdings from Co-Owner Stuart McGuire. Heinemann acquired a majority stake in the company in 2007, after partnering initially in 2006. The Scorpio business will be transferred to Heinemann in Hamburg.
McGuire said he would be remaining with the business when it transfers to Heinemann. He said that a decision about the future of the Scorpio UK office was “in process” but that in the interim it is “business as usual”.
The two companies said in a joint statement that they had grown their inflight business significantly since 2006, with many supply contracts. Heinemann currently manages several exclusive supply contracts for airlines and concessionaires in Europe. Scorpio Worldwide is a wholesale supplier to many airlines and concessionaires globally.
Heinemann Co-Owner Claus Heinemann said: “We have a very special relationship with Scorpio and the McGuire family, and it is great that our two family businesses combine fully to address the opportunities and challenges of the inflight retail market into the future.”
Scorpio Founder & CEO Stuart McGuire said: “We have enjoyed an extremely positive and successful partnership with Heinemann, serving airlines globally with a wide variety of products, and building market share for our brand partners. We now take the next step in our cooperation, with considerable opportunities in a developing market. We have built our business on a reputation for innovation and customer service and will aim to take this further with Heinemann. I thank all my team for their hard work and support in the past and during this next stage.”
Heinemann Inflight Commercial Director John Baumgartner said: “We see good growth opportunities in the [Scorpio] customer and brand proposition. We will endeavour to offer an airline retail supply solution not only onboard but with a full omnichannel service through our category management, ground-based stores and logistics expertise.”
