Pacific Market International (PMI), manufacturer of food and beverage brands Aladdin and Stanley, has partnered up with UK distributor Burton McCall.
Burton McCall became the exclusive UK and Eire distributor of the Stanley and Aladdin brands when the partnership came into effect on July 1. According to PMI, this will allow the manufacturer to focus its energies on new product development and product innovation.

PMI president and ceo Rob Harris said: "We are extremely enthused about this new partnership with
Burton McCall. Their market penetration with compatible brands gives them the ability to leverage their market presence and experience at retail for the benefit of our customers."

As a result of the new partnership, PMI will be closing its UK subsidiary company in Hemel Hempstead. Mr Harris said: "It is with great sadness that we close the UK office. We have many loyal employees who have worked hard to build the Aladdin and Stanley brands in the UK market. I am proud of what they have accomplished in establishing a foundation that will live on in this market."

Both parties confirmed that the transition period would be seamless, with consistency and continuity of product supply and service remaining "of paramount importance". To aid the transition, Burton McCall's area sales managers will contact all existing stockists over the coming weeks.

PMI UK managing director John Wilkins will stay on as a consultant for Burton McCall throughout the handover process.

A PMI spokesperson confirmed that all remaining staff will be leaving the company: "Burton McCall assumed responsibility for the UK sales and product distribution on 1 July 2010. As part of this strategic plan we will be winding down the PMI business activities out of our Hemel Hempstead office and this will ultimately lead to a planned closure of that office around the end of this year.

"During the month of May we entered into a consultation process with all 10 of the PMI UK employees regarding their transfer to Burton McCall. However for various and private reasons all 10 employees requested redundancy terms from PMI which we agreed to do in keeping with our overall Company policy to demonstrate a duty of care and respect to our staff. As such all employees have left or will be leaving before the end of the year as the business winds down its operations."

All orders and enquiries regarding the Stanley and Aladdin brands should now be directed through Burton McCall on 0116 234 4644 or at sales@burton-mccall.co.uk.