The History of BHL
Building BHL: a bold story
In 1991, under the bold leadership of then General Manager Sir Allan Fields, Barbados' most successful beverage company, Banks (Barbados) Breweries Ltd. moved to acquire longstanding soft drink manufacturer, the Barbados Bottling Co. Ltd. (BBC). Banks Holdings Limited(BHL) was formed as the parent company effecting the acquisition. Synergies between the then 46-year-old BBC and 3 decade-old Brewery were powerful. Their feisty traditions of quality and innovation, coupled with strong distribution networks proved a great platform for consolidation. The ensuing decade saw 5 new businesses, ranging from distribution to recycling, under the BHL umbrella.
Introduction to Distribution: A Story of Growth
In 1994 BHL turned its attention to distribution, purchasing a distribution facility formerly known as Banks Distribution Limited from Barbados Shipping and Trading Limited (BS&T). BHL’s distribution arm was introduced, meeting the Brewery's and BBC's needs in the distribution sector.
Innovative Enterprise: A Story of Diversification
- In 1997, Banks Holdings Limited (BHL) purchased the then majority Government-owned Barbados Dairy Industries Ltd. and added to its products, dairy, fruit juices and juice drink offerings. With this move BHL’s position as the largest beverage conglomerate in Barbados was further cemented.
- In 1998, the wholesale distribution outlet, Drinks Plus was opened complementing the then B&B Distribution. However in pursuing greater efficiencies, 6 years later following a restructuring exercise, Drinks Plus renamed B&B Wholesale was integrated into the B&B Distribution, now Banks Distribution Limited.
- In the year 2002 BHL embarked on further diversification and investment projects which included investments in local real estate as well as investments in other beverages companies and complementary businesses in and outside of Barbados.
- Here are some of the key dates in our journey:
- 2011- Banks Holdings Ltd built a new state of the art brewery in Newton and moved to this new home
- 2016 - Banks Holdings Limited was now acquired by Anheuser-Busch (ABInBEV)
- 2017 – BHL Chief Executive Officer, Richard Cozier retires after 43 years of meritorious service to the BHL group.
- 2018- Subsidiary Barbados Bottling Company (BBC) was sold to KOSCAB (Coca Cola Southern Caribbean)
- 2019- Establishment of Joint Venture (JV) Company, Delivery & Handling Services Ltd with our partners KOSCAB.
- 2021- After six years as part of the global ABI family, we were pleased to appoint Shafia London as the first female and Country Manager.
