Laurie Hatton
Auckland, June 15, 2024
As Kiwis plan for their future, business ownership remains a coveted option offering professional & personal success. Laurie Hatton of LINK Business Brokers is proud to present a truly exceptional opportunity for a savvy investor. For the first time ever, 8 Wired, an award-winning brewery in Warkworth is on the market. Not only does the sale comprise the well-established brewery, but the brand’s Matakana-based taproom Barrelworks too.
Founded by the current hands-on owners Soren & Monique Eriksen, 8 Wired is a family-owned business that hit the ground running following its 2009 inception. 8 Wired’s story is one of genuine entrepreneurial spirit and dedication. What started out as a simple gift of a craft beer kit sparked a passion for brewing, eventually growing into an iconic brand recognised both nationally and globally. “At the beginning, it was very much a hobby, but it soon grew into contract brewing, and then, 8 Wired’s very own independent brewery was born,” Soren reflects.
It didn’t take long for 8 Wired’s products to be formally recognised for their unique blend of Kiwi innovation and ingenuity. In 2011, 8 Wired was awarded Overall Champion NZ Brewery – the highest honour for a brewery business. It won the title again in 2023 and retains it today, highlighting the brand’s consistent performance over the years. Several of 8 Wired’s craft beers have bagged industry awards, with the Wild Feijoa creation earning Champion NZ Beer just last year.
8 Wired has also proudly featured on an international list of top breweries around the world, notably, it stands as the only brewery from the Southern Hemisphere mentioned in the prestigious list. “The accolades earned by 8 Wired places the business at the forefront of New Zealand’s $3.3bn beer brewing industry,” says Laurie.
At the heart of 8 Wired & Barrelworks sits an extensive client base. However, beyond individual consumers, 8 Wired boasts major local & international trade customers including Foodstuffs, Woolworths, Liquorland, Coles, (Australia) and Farro. 8 Wired’s products have even been exported to 6 continents, (including Antarctica) only Africa is missing from the list. “8 Wired’s wide reach is a fantastic competitive advantage, and platform to build from,” Laurie says.
Barrelworks, the brand’s taproom, is situated 10 minutes from the production brewery in Warkworth and is primely located to capture new customers exploring the sought-after area and provides a social hub for the local community. Offering a robust menu that caters to beyond just beer enthusiasts, Barrelworks is a unique space for customers to directly engage with the locally crafted products. “Barrelworks has been a fantastic outlet to showcase our brands innovation and ingenuity while also providing a steady stream of volume for the brewery,” says Soren.
Identifying an auspicious opportunity, Laurie feels confident that an investor with sound marketing knowledge has the potential to be transformative for 8 Wired. “8 Wired is the best beer platform we have ever seen come to market thanks to its formidable reputation, so the untapped growth potential in strategic branding is significant,” he says.
Soren & Monique stress the importance of finding a successor with specific skills essential for steering 8 Wired towards medium-size brewery success. “The new owner will be entrusted with the challenging yet rewarding task of leading the next phase of growth,” they reiterate. “A major point of focus will be solidifying the business’s brand presence, emphasising the need for an incoming owner who can identify strategic investment opportunities to drive the business forward, as well as adept resource allocation skills to ensure a consistent expansion trajectory.”
A smooth transition is paramount to Soren & Monique, and they are committed to offering thorough handover assistance and operational support to the new owner if necessary. This underscores their dedication to 8 Wired’s continued success, despite being ready for a change. “Establishing and running 8 Wired has been a major highlight of our lives, but we want the option to travel to Europe with our children when the time is right,” says Soren.
This sale is not just a transaction; it’s an invitation to continue a legacy of excellence and to steer 8 Wired into a new era of expansion and success. The business’s solid foundation, combined with untapped market opportunities, provides a fertile ground for a visionary investor to build upon. With the global craft beer market showing no signs of slowing down, the acquisition of 8 Wired offers a rare chance to reap the rewards of the groundwork that has been laid and propel it to even greater heights.
Laurie emphasises, “For buyers looking to acquire an impressive, scalable, and well-positioned business in an exciting market… this is the one.”
Expressions of interest are now welcome. For more information about this opportunity, contact Laurie Hatton of LINK Business Brokers on 027 882 9457 or laurie.hatton@linkbusiness.co.nz
