MMI eyes global expansion as it closes 100th year of trading

UAE. Maritime & Mercantile International (MMI), the number one beverage supplier to hotels, restaurants and bars in the UAE and Oman and an increasingly successful travel retail player, is eyeing global expansion as it concludes its 100th year of trading in Dubai.

Capping its centenary, MMI this week announced its expansion into the Seychelles. The joint venture agreement (details to be announced soon) fits with the company’s vision to expand into emerging markets with growing hospitality sectors that are “reaching their tipping point” in demand for premium imported beverages.

MMI said that it represents 70% of the world’s 50 most-admired brands and has a portfolio embracing over 600 producers – including 15 of the world’s top 20 wines and seven of the world’s top ten spirits.

MMI began operations as a Dubai Creekside shipping agent in 1916. It has since grown into a multi-national beverage distributor in emerging markets, successfully expanding its import/wholesale network to encompass 42 countries in the Middle East, Asia Pacific and Africa.

mmi-100-years-old-office-1
History making: The original Dubai office of Gray Mackenzie (now Maritime & Mercantile International) in Dubai

As reported, the company’s specialist upscale wine & spirits travel retailer Le Clos recently celebrated the record-breaking US$500,000 sale of The Macallan Fine and Rare Collection – hailing it as the largest single transaction yet in travel retail.

le-clos
Le Clos at Dubai International is a haven of fine wines and spirits

MMI and (sister company) Emirates Leisure Retail Group Chief Executive Officer Andrew Day said: “As a 100% Emirati-owned company, and with the same pioneering spirit born from a history stretching back over 100 years, MMI shares Dubai’s ambition and are proud to have developed along with our exciting city.

le-clos-world-record-sale-1-768x318
Vintage moment: Le Clos recently celebrated the US$500,000 sale of The Macallan Fine and Rare Collection – hailing it as travel retail’s largest single transaction

“Through commitment to service, expertise and quality, we ensure residents and visitors to Dubai receive a world-class welcome and an exceptional experience. We are delighted to have helped our hospitality partners in placing Dubai firmly on the map as a truly world-class destination. From our humble beginnings and with Dubai as our launch-pad we have taken our story across the Gulf, Africa and onto South East Asia with the goal of being the leading independent premium beverage distributor in emerging markets.”

The company, then called Gray Mackenzie & Co, received its first office lease in 1916, signed by then Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Saeed Bin Maktoum Al Maktoum.

The company was renamed Maritime & Mercantile International in 1983 and became a subsidiary of Emirates Group in 2000. It then established Emirates Leisure Retail (ELR) to manage and operate Emirates’ hospitality interests (restaurants, cafés and bars) – a sector that now includes over 270 outlets across three continents, with a further ten-plus outlets scheduled to open in 2017 and 2018 at the new Abu Dhabi Midfield Terminal and Singapore Changi Airport.

In 2008, MMI launched the Le Clos retail concept, “changing the game in fine wine and airport retailing” by introducing extensive collections of rare and upscale wines and spirits to local market, online and travelling consumers.

george-champan-receiving-award-from-mmi-2
Saluting a pioneer: George Chapman (second from right), former General Manager of Gray Mackenzie & Co (now MMI), joined the company in 1951, playing a key role in its early growth. Here he is honoured for his services by (from left) Iain Delaney, Chief Operating Officer MMI; Gary Chapman, President Group Services & dnata, Emirates Group & Chairman of MMI; and Andrew Day, Group CEO of MMI and ELR.
Food & Beverage The Magazine eZine