Management shake-up at Wolverhampton & Dudley
Midlands-based brewer and pub operator Wolverhampton & Dudley (W&D) is to split into three separate divisions: brewing, managed pubs, and tenanted pubs.
The company is currently the target of a takeover bid from industry deal-maker Robert Breare.
In a trading statement yesterday, W&D said the new structure would help it improve performance and make the most of its existing assets.
Like-for-like sales in its managed pubs were up by 1.2% during August compared with last year. Profit margins had been restored to "more satisfactory levels" after a poor first six months of 2000.
W&D said it would continue to concentrate on raising the performance of its existing operations and would be cautious about developing new sites.
Chief executive designate Ralph Findlay added: "If assets can command a greater value through disposal than development, they will be sold."
