By David MacDonald I t wasn’t at all surprising that Toombs’ sights were set on the road ahead. Just two days before we spoke, DME announced a strategic partnership with Newlands Systems (NSI) in Abbotsford, British Columbia. “This amal- gamation is a defining step in history for DME and NSI,” Toombs said in a press release. “Both companies have been manufacturing world class microbrewing equip- ment solutions for over 25 years and are highly respected within the craft beer industry. We now have the opportu- nity to expand upon what both companies have built and become even stronger in the future.” “Plans are underway for a new state of the art 50,000 square feet manufacturing facility in South Carolina.” Toombs will assume the role of CEO and NSI President, Brad McQuhae, will be named Senior Vice President of Innovation of the combined organization, according to the release.
“We saw an opportunity in the craft brewing industry. With its growth and projected growth looking ahead five or ten years in North America – as well as beyond those borders – we wanted to really capitalize on the equipment solutions side of it. Brad and I started talking three years ago and we realized that it’s a very fragmented industry from the supply chain side of things when you look at the big picture. That was our motivation. We put together an earnest business plan that focused on forward-think- ing consolidation. It’s a formula to get bigger, better, stronger. The more coverage in the North America mar- ketplace we can sure up, we reduce the risk for our growth moving forward into markets like South America.”
When I asked Toombs what motivated the merger, his answer was without pretense.
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