Corby Subsidiary Ace Beverage Group Enters Strategic Partnership with Canada Dry Mott’s
Corby Spirit and Wine Limited has announced that its subsidiary, Ace Beverage Group Inc. (ABG), has entered into a strategic agreement with Canada Dry Mott’s Inc. (CDMI). The agreement, effective March 1, 2026, grants ABG exclusive rights to represent select CDMI ready-to-drink (RTD) brands across Western and Central Canada through August 31, 2029, subject to contractual terms.
The partnership signals a significant expansion of ABG’s footprint in the fast-growing RTD category and reinforces both companies’ commitment to strengthening their presence in provincial markets across Canada.
Exclusive Representation Across Key Canadian Provinces
Under the terms of the agreement, ABG will represent several of CDMI’s established RTD brands in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. These provinces collectively represent a substantial share of Canada’s beverage alcohol market and offer strong growth potential within the RTD segment.
The brands included in the agreement are:
- Mott’s Clamato RTD
- Snapple RTD
- Tahiti Treat RTD
- Hires RTD
These brands represent a diverse and complementary portfolio designed to appeal to a wide range of consumer tastes and consumption occasions. From savory cocktail-inspired beverages to fruit-forward refreshment options, the portfolio aims to serve evolving consumer preferences in both retail and on-premise channels.
Strengthening Position in Canada’s Dynamic RTD Market
The RTD segment in Canada has experienced consistent growth over the past several years, driven by consumer demand for convenience, premiumization, and flavor innovation. The category has expanded beyond simple spirit-and-soda combinations to include cocktail-inspired products, tea-based beverages, and nostalgic flavor profiles.
One of the flagship products within CDMI’s RTD lineup is the iconic Mott’s Clamato Caesar RTD, a pre-mixed version of Canada’s beloved Bloody Caesar cocktail. The Caesar holds a special place in Canadian beverage culture, widely regarded as the country’s national cocktail. Its popularity is celebrated annually on National Caesar Day, observed on the Thursday before Victoria Day in May.
Cam McDonald, Chief Executive Officer of ABG, emphasized the cultural and commercial significance of the Caesar within the Canadian market.
We are looking forward to partnering with the CDMI team and representing their portfolio of brands,” McDonald stated. “The Bloody Caesar is widely considered Canada’s national cocktail, and Mott’s Clamato Caesar remains the leading Caesar RTD in the country. Together, we plan to accelerate growth across the dynamic RTD category in Canada.
Complementary Portfolios Create Market Leadership Opportunity
ABG already maintains a strong presence within Canada’s RTD space, and the addition of CDMI’s brands further strengthens its competitive positioning. By combining complementary product lines, the companies aim to establish a leading share within key provincial markets.
Florence Tresarrieu, President and Chief Executive Officer of Corby, highlighted the strategic alignment between the two portfolios.
We are excited to partner with one of North America’s leading beverage companies. The CDMI portfolio of RTDs complements our current RTD offerings perfectly. Together, this expanded portfolio positions us to become the leading RTD player in Canada.
The collaboration is expected to enhance market execution capabilities, strengthen retail relationships, and provide greater scale advantages in merchandising and brand activation.
Provincial Market Expertise as a Competitive Advantage
A critical component of the partnership lies in ABG’s expertise in navigating Canada’s complex provincial beverage alcohol systems. Each province operates under distinct regulatory frameworks, distribution models, and retail structures, which significantly impact brand performance.
Chris McMahon, Vice-President, Ready-to-Drink & Commercial Sales at CDMI, underscored the importance of regional market insight.
RTD is no longer just about what’s in the can — it’s about how brands show up in culture, in-store, and in the moments that matter to consumers. Consumer demand, regulatory frameworks, and retail dynamics vary significantly by province. Winning in RTD increasingly depends on being close to those realities.
He added that the partnership with ABG was designed specifically to support the next phase of growth for CDMI’s RTD portfolio by leveraging ABG’s localized expertise and execution strength.
Meeting Evolving Consumer Expectations
Consumer behavior in the RTD space continues to evolve rapidly. Today’s buyers are seeking more than convenience; they expect authenticity, recognizable flavors, and brands that resonate culturally. Nostalgia-driven brands such as Snapple and Hires bring heritage appeal, while Tahiti Treat adds vibrant, fruit-forward options to the mix.
Meanwhile, Mott’s Clamato Caesar continues to anchor the portfolio with strong brand recognition and cultural relevance. The combination of trusted legacy brands and strong distribution execution is expected to drive incremental growth across multiple channels, including government-controlled liquor boards, private retail, and grocery-based alcohol sales where permitted.
Long-Term Growth Outlook Through 2029
The agreement extends through August 31, 2029, providing a multi-year runway for growth initiatives, brand building, and portfolio optimization. This longer-term structure allows both organizations to invest in sustained marketing campaigns, in-store activations, and innovation within the RTD category.
By aligning ABG’s market execution capabilities with CDMI’s established consumer brands, the partnership aims to capture incremental market share and respond effectively to competitive pressures in the Canadian beverage landscape.
A Strategic Step Forward in Canada’s Beverage Industry
This partnership reflects broader trends within the beverage industry, where collaboration and distribution specialization are becoming key drivers of growth. As the RTD segment continues to mature, brands must balance national scale with provincial precision.
Through this agreement, Corby and Canada Dry Mott’s are positioning themselves to meet that challenge head-on. By combining cultural relevance, brand strength, and regional expertise, the companies aim to set a new benchmark for RTD success across Western and Central Canada.
As the agreement takes effect in March 2026, industry observers will be watching closely to see how this strengthened portfolio performs in one of Canada’s most competitive and rapidly evolving beverage categories.
Source link: https://corby.ca/
