D'Cambre enters beer distribution market
Published:Friday | August 5, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Sabrina Gordon, Business Reporter
Cubana Distributors Trading Limited, a new company formed some five months ago by local businessman Roy D'Cambre has ventured into the beverage market with the local distribution of Cuban beer 'Cristal'.
D'Cambre's previous ventures have included gas stations, as owner of National Fuels and Lubricants, which he sold out to Total SA, and as franchise operator of Roaster's and Church's chicken.
Cubana will be run by D'Cambre's son, Kyle D'Cambre.
The company, which is in the early stages of setting up shop, has invested up to J$20 million to acquire warehouse and office space on Norman Road in Kingston, and to market and promote Cristal.
"For the moment we just have the beers, but we intend to have energy drink, soda water and juices," said Kyle D'Cambre, manager of Cubana Dis-tributors.
"We are still in negotiation and so can't disclose much right now," he said.
The beer has been on the market for two months and is available in bars and restaurants in Kingston. Cubana plans to expand distribution nationally over time.
Cristal is priced at J$140 per bottle; Red Stripe sells in some supermarkets for about J$130 per bottle.
The beer market is controlled by Red Stripe, which anecdotally was said to have about an 80 per cent share, but has seen volume sales erased over the recession.
Red Stripe Jamaica sells brews owned by parent Diageo.
Despite Red Stripe's dominant market presence, D'Cambre said he is hoping to grab at least 10 per cent of the market, which he estimates at six million cases per annum.
Not worried
The younger D'Cambre, who is 27, says he is not worried by the conditions of the domestic market, even as Red Stripe looks to the north to rebuild sales.
Consumers, he insists, will welcome the new Caribbean product.
"The landscape needs something new and, hopefully, we can succeed where others failed," he said.
The terms of Cubana's contract with the owners of Cristal were not disclosed.
Cubana was incorporated on February 8 of this year, according to Companies Office records. Roy D'Cambre is listed as the sole shareholder of the company's 1,000 ordinary shares.