By Andrew Starke
Barons Brewing has denied that the brewer is experiencing financial difficulties despite a division of the company going into voluntary administration.
An online insolvency appointments portal lists Barons Brewing Trading Company as applying for voluntary administration in late June with Andrew Wily of Armstrong Wily appointed as administrator.
However, Barons Brewing marketing and communications manager, Chelsea O’Donnell, told TheShout that the company was in good financial health and its liquor operations would not be affected.
“We have new directors and this should be seen as an internal restructuring,” she said, adding that Barons Brewing Trading Company is just one company under the umbrella that makes up Baron’s Brewing.
Adam Flohm and Patrick Clarke have replaced former directors Sean Neylon and Scott Garnett with Flohm appointed to the role of MD.
Flohm began his career in law in 1988 and in 1997 he founded Angus Developments, a Sydney-based property investment company. He is a significant investor in Barons Brewing.
Clarke is the executive director of KCX International, an Australian-based global wholesale company. He has been a major investor in Barons since its inception in 2006 and has over 25 years experience in the import / export market.
“The changes in Board and executive management at Barons Brewing are a vital step on the path to secure a key investment that will fund the company’s further expansion and distribution both domestically and overseas,” said O’Donnell.
She said the company could not comment on two separate allegations made to TheShout that a former director was under investigation for fraud.
Andrew Wily was not immediately available for comment.
Founded in 2005, Baron’s portfolio of brands includes: Barons, Lucky Beer, Snowy Mountains, 88 Balls, Byron Bay Premium Ale and Outback Brewery.
Late last year the company announced ambitious plans to join forces with Independent Liquor Group (ILG) to build a $30 million domestic brewing facility in ILG's Sydney warehouse.
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