Altia Acquires A Wine And Spirits Portfolio From Pernod Ricard
Altia takes over the brands, production and logistics operations in Sweden and Denmark for a cash consideration of € 82 million (SEK 835 million).
Altia Plc acquires a portfolio of wine brands including Chill Out and Blossa Glögg and a portfolio of Swedish and Danish heritage spirits. The spirits portfolio consists of e.g. O. P. Anderson, Skåne Akvavit, Svenska Nubbar, 1-Enkelt Bitter, Explorer, Kronvodka, Lord Calvert Canadian Whisky and Barracuda Rum. The transaction between Altia and Pernod Ricard also includes Svendborg bottling facility in Denmark and the logistics centres in Odense, Denmark, and Årsta, Sweden. Related long-term production, bottling and logistic services agreements between Pernod Ricard Sweden, Pernod Ricard Denmark and Altia have been concluded.
The transaction will increase Altia’s net sales by approximately 85 million euro and the number of employees by around 280. The acquisition is subject to the approval of the Swedish Competition Authority.
With this transaction, Altia will become the leading player in the Nordic alcoholic beverage business. The acquisition expands the company’s operations and business portfolio on to a new level and builds a strong position in Sweden and Denmark. The above brands perfectly complement the Altia product and brand portfolio.
Altia’s strategy is based on two complementary corner stones – building own brands and providing a leading Nordic and Baltic service platform for suppliers to develop their business. The Svendborg bottling facility will be able to provide improved packaging and bottling opportunities close to consumers further supporting our suppliers’ and partners’ business.
“We want to develop Altia through improved efficiencies, enhanced service to our customers and partners as well as investments in both own and supplier brands. The acquired brands have a strong heritage and market position and thus this acquisition is a natural next step in our strategy aiming at expanding our market presence in our home market, the Nordic countries and the Baltic region. We are delighted to start working with the professionals behind these brands. Their contribution combined with that of Altia’s current personnel will support Altia’s capability to implement it’s strategy.”, says Antti Pankakoski, CEO of Altia Plc.
Additional information:
Antti Pankakoski, CEO, Altia Plc
+358 40 844 1666, antti.pankakoski@altiacorporation.com
Altia Plc
Altia is a wine and spirit service company producing, distributing, marketing and selling own and supplier brands. It distills barley spirit for beverages, and has strong local products and few international brands such as Koskenkorva, Maximus and Grönstedts, and it represents international quality brands from all over the world.
Altia is owned by the State of Finland. In 2009, net sales of Altia amounted to 407.3 million euros and the number of personnel is almost 950. The company operates in Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Estonia and Latvia. Altia has a distillery in Koskenkorva (Finland) and a beverage plant in Rajamäki (Finland) with traditions reaching back to 1888. The Tabasalu alcoholic beverage plant in Estonia is a producer of smaller lots. Altia is the market leader in Finland and grows to a leading player in Sweden.
Pernod Ricard
Created by the merger of Pernod and Ricard (1975), the Group has undergone sustained development, based on both organic growth and acquisitions. The acquisitions of Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and recently of Vin&Sprit (2008) have made the Group the world’s co-leader in Wines and Spirits with consolidated sales of € 7,203 million in 2008/09. Pernod Ricard holds one of the most prestigious brand portfolios in the sector: ABSOLUT Premium Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson’s Irish Whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Kahlúa and Malibu liqueurs, Mumm and Perrier-Jouët champagnes, as well Jacob’s Creek and Montana wines. The Group favours a decentralised organisation, with 6 Brand Owners and 70 Distribution Companies established in each key market, and employs a workforce of close to 19,000 people. Pernod Ricard is strongly committed to a sustainable development policy and encourages responsible consumption of its products.
Pernod Ricard is listed on the NYSE Euronext exchange (Ticker: RI; ISIN code: FR0000120693) and is a member of the CAC 40 index.