Meet tomorrow’s next big thing, today.

Nic Mack is the founder of Mack Brands.

In the summer of 2020, Nic launched his first brand, Brooks Hard Seltzer, in South Africa. While building Brooks, Nic began dreaming of creating a hub for cutting-edge beverage brands that break the mold in their respective categories on a global scale.

After three years of planning, he founded Mack Brands with the support and guidance of the Mack & Schühle Group. Today, Nic leads Mack Brands from his office in New York, alongside his cousin, Ronnie Melck, and serves on several boards across the Mack & Schühle Group.

Heinrich Badenhorst serves as Head of Sales at Mack Brands.

His role is to increase sales and brand visibility while working alongside the team in existing markets and identifying new opportunities. Heinrich's love for wine and his WSET Level 3 certification fuel his passion for the industry and his drive to learn more every day.

With a keen eye for market trends and a desire for building strong relationships, Heinrich is dedicated to expanding Mack Brands' presence globally.

His enthusiasm and expertise make him an invaluable asset to the team, always pushing the boundaries to ensure the brand's growth and success.

Nicola Carter is the Mack Brands Marketing Manager.

With extensive experience in the spirits and hospitality industries, Nicola brings a knowledge for brand building across restaurants, hotels and a variety of alcohol brands. Her background in conceptual advertising, blended with deep marketing knowledge, means she is able to deliver impactful, insight-driven campaigns that elevate brand identity and drive commercial results.

Her passion for the industry and eye for creative detail make her a vital member at Mack Brands.

Ludolph serves as Mack Brand’s Director of Operations.

Ludolph holds a Bcom Honours in Management Accounting from Stellenbosch University, equipping him with strong skills in finance, operations, and strategic analysis.

With six years of experience in South Africa’s liquor and FMCG sectors, Ludolph has played an instrumental role in the Mack & Schühle group, first with Mack & Schühle Africa and then as Operations Manager at CLM Brands. There, he led successful system implementations, boosted profitability, and enhanced supply chain and production processes.

Now at Mack Brands, Ludolph is excited to bring his passion and expertise to a vibrant, driven team focused on expanding the company's reach and delivering lasting value across the portfolio.

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Prior to joining Mack Brands, Ashley spent several years growing premium Whisky and Gin across Europe. With a strong industry background, he has a deep understanding of what makes brands truly stand out. He ensures they are showcased in the right places, in the right way, and with the right partners - building lasting momentum for long-term success.

Known for his energy and hands-on approach, Ashley brings clarity, efficiency, and genuine care to everything he undertakes, always driven by a single goal: making Mack Brands the partner you want to back.

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Armand Avenant serves as Operations & Finance Associate at Mack Brands.

He holds a BCom Honours in Management Accounting and has completed his articles, providing him with a strong foundation in finance, reporting, and operational analysis.

Although new to the spirits and alcohol industry, Armand is passionate about learning and gaining hands-on experience across both operations and finance. He is focused on bridging the gap between the two functions, helping drive efficiencies and improve processes that support the company’s growth.

With a detail-oriented mindset and a proactive approach, Armand is excited to contribute meaningfully while continuing to develop within the industry.

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With a background in digital marketing and a sharp understanding of social-first storytelling, Michaela brings a thoughtful and considered approach to content creation across the Mack Brands portfolio. She plays a key role in shaping how each brand shows up online  from concept to execution, ensuring every touchpoint feels relevant, engaging, and culturally in tune.

Her instinct for aesthetic, paired with a deep understanding of platform behaviour, allows her to create content that resonates beyond the screen and into real-world brand connection. Known for her attention to detail and calm, consistent energy, Michaela is instrumental in building the digital presence of Mack Brands.

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