Emperador Buys Fundador, 3 Other Int’l Liquor Brands

Philippine brandy giant Emperador Inc. has sealed a deal with Beam Suntory to acquire the company’s Spanish brandy and sherry business, including four liquor brands, for PHP13.8 billion.

The acquisition includes the iconic brands of Fundador Pedro Domecq, the Philippines’ largest selling premium imported brandy brand; Terry Centenario, Spain’s no. 1 selling brandy; Tres Cepas, Equatorial Guinea’s no. 1 brandy; and Harveys, United Kingdom’s no. 1 selling sherry wine.

“The acquisition further strengthens Emperador’s dominant position as the number one brandy company in the Philippines and in the world,” the company told the local bourse.

The purchased assets include Bodegas Fundador, known to be Spain’s largest and oldest brandy cellars established in 1730, as well as production facilities, ageing cellars, vineyards and state-of-the-art blending and bottling facilities, in Jerez, Spain.

Other assets also include a brandy distillery in Tomelloso, Spain with sufficient ageing inventory of brandy and sherry, which Emperador officials believe will drive the company’s future growth.

Emperador, Inc. president Winston Co said the acquisition of the Spanish assets and Fundador Brandy is expected to boost the company’s revenue and profit.

“With the combined global reach of Whyte & Mackay and Fundador, our expanded product portfolio will have access to more than 100 countries around the world. In our pipeline are several proudly Philippine-made products that we intend to introduce to the international markets starting next year,” he said.

Last year, Emperador acquired Whyte and Mackay Limited, the world’s fifth largest Scotch whiskey company.

Among its prestigious brands are The Dalmore and Jura Single Malt Scotch Whiskies, Whyte & Mackay and John Barr Blended Scotch Whiskies and Vladivar Vodka. (PNA) JMC/LDV