Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

Supreme acquires vaping manufacturer Liberty Flights

Supreme acquires vaping manufacturer Liberty Flights

Supreme, which owns vaping brands KiK and 88vape, has announced the acquisition of Liberty Flights, a leading UK vaping manufacturer best known for their Liberty Flights vaping brand and Dot Pro device for a total consideration of up to £14.75 million.

The transaction involves an initial consideration of £7.75 million plus deferred consideration of £2 million which is payable in 12 months, in addition to a performance related earn-out of up to £5 million. Under current performance expectations, this will be approximately £2 million, Supreme said in a regulatory filing.


Founded in 2010, Liberty Flights specialises in premium e-liquid and high-quality vaping devices, alongside distributing a large catalogue of global third-party e-liquid brands. The brand is sold largely through convenience retailers, either directly or via wholesalers, as well as through an expanding direct to consumer online footprint.

For the year ended 31 January 2021, Liberty Flights generated revenues of approximately £9 million and EBITDA of £1.5 million.

Supreme said the acquisition is firmly in line with its strategy to support a tobacco free UK by offering both credible and safer alternatives for nicotine consumption.

“We are delighted to be acquiring Liberty Flights, a business I have personally known since its inception and a brand I have long admired. The combination of Liberty Flights and Supreme's existing vape offerings couldn't be more aligned and is highly complementary across our respective manufacturing, product, and customer profiles,” Sandy Chadha, chief executive of Supreme, commented.

“In addition, the acquisition further builds on our significant market reach in the UK, accelerating our product presence in the fast-growing pod system market, a sizeable growth opportunity for Supreme. We look forward to welcoming Liberty Flights into the Supreme group and updating shareholders on our progress over the course of the current financial year."

Liberty Flights will operate as a standalone entity for an initial 12-month period before being fully integrated into Supreme.

Supreme supplies products across five key categories - batteries, lighting, vaping, sports nutrition & wellness, and branded household consumer goods – to over 10,000 retail outlets.

More for you

Sugro UK partners with Britvic to launch industry-first sample box

Sugro UK partners with Britvic to launch industry-first sample box

Leading wholesale buying and marketing group Sugro UK has collaborated with Britvic Soft Drinks, a global organisation with 39 much-loved brands sold in over 100 countries, to launch a groundbreaking Fast Food Sample Box.

The sample box is specifically designed for ICS UK LTD customers, giving them a unique opportunity to sample and experience new Fast Food soft drinks offerings firsthand.

Keep ReadingShow less
Plant-based ready meal

Plant-based ready meal brand on brink of collapse

British plant-based ready meal maker Allplants has filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators, citing ongoing financial losses, stated recent reports.

Allplants, known as the UK’s largest vegan ready meal brand, has faced mounting losses over recent years. Filing the notice provides the company with a critical window to explore options to avoid liquidation, such as restructuring, refinancing, or negotiating a sale.

Keep ReadingShow less
sottish retail-wholesale

Scottish retail-wholesale figure celebrated at University of Stirling graduation

Entrepreneur and businessperson Stanley Morrice, an influential figure in the retail and wholesale sectors, received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Stirling at Stirling’s winter graduation held today (22).

Stanley, from Fraserburgh, is being recognised for his services to Scottish food, drink and agriculture. He entered the sector as a school leaver. In 1993, he joined Aberdeen-based convenience stores Aberness Foods, which traded as Mace. He rose to become Sales Director, boosting income by 50 per cent and tripling profits, and went on to be Managing Director, successfully leading the business through a strategic sale to supermarket group Somerfield.

Keep ReadingShow less
consumer cheer
iStock image
iStock image

Consumers cheer up as Budget nerves lift: GfK

British consumers have turned less pessimistic following the government's first budget and the US presidential election and they are showing more appetite for spending in the run-up to Christmas, according to a new survey.

The GfK Consumer Confidence Index, the longest-running measure of British consumer sentiment, rose to -18 in November, its highest since August and up from -21 in October which was its lowest since March.

Keep ReadingShow less
Retail Sales
Photo: iStock

Retail sales take bigger-than-expected hit in October

British retail sales fell by much more than expected in October, according to official data that added to other signs of a loss of momentum in the economy in the run-up to the first budget of prime minister Keir Starmer's new government.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said sales volumes have fallen by 0.7 per cent in October. A Reuters poll of economists had forecast a monthly fall of 0.3 per cent in sales volumes from September.

Keep ReadingShow less