Global drinks business International Beverage has been on the acquisition trail in September, acquiring 2 new businesses each on the other side of the world.
This week, they announced the acquisition of Cardrona Distillery, one of New Zealand’s pioneering premium spirits producers that includes the portfolio of super-premium brands including Cardrona single malt whisky, The Reid Vodka, The Source Gin and the Rose Rabbit liqueurs. As well as the distillery the sale also includes the visitor centre near Wanaka in New Zealand’s Crown Range Mountains.
International Beverage will focus on investment in the purpose-built distillery site and maximising the potential of Cardrona’s brands in the core New Zealand, UK and USA markets. They will also deploy International Beverage’s global network to build select new routes to market.
Cardrona Distillery founder and Managing Director Desiree Reid said, ‘This is an exciting day for all of us at Cardrona Distillery. Building Cardrona has been a remarkable journey, made possible through the work and support of many, many people. I’m thrilled that International Beverage shares our belief in Cardrona’s quality and potential as we embark upon the next chapter of our story together. I look forward to working with their team to bring our spirits to more people in markets around the world in the future.’
Malcolm Leask, Managing Director (UK) of International Beverage added, ‘A warm welcome to Desiree and everyone at Cardrona Distillery to International Beverage. We are delighted to have their skilled team and exceptional craft spirits join our business.
“The team has done an excellent job in building Cardrona’s super-premium brands to date with so much integrity, quality and potential for the future. We are very much looking forward to working with them to build on their success within our international network, as we strengthen our premium spirits portfolio for the global market’.
Meanwhile, at the start of the month, International Beverage entered into an agreement with Anora Group plc to acquire its Larsen Cognac business. The proposed acquisition includes Larsen’s production site and eau-de-vie maturation stock in Cognac, France, as well as its cognac brands Larsen, Renault and Monopol, plus brandy brand Ibis.
As a wholly owned subsidiary of Thai Beverage Public Company Limited, Southeast Asia’s leading beverage producer and distributor, International Beverage is already a distributor of Larsen Cognac in China and Hong Kong through its subsidiary, AsiaEuro International Beverage (AIB), with in-depth understanding of the brands.
International Beverage (UK), Managing Director, Malcolm Leask said, ‘We are delighted to welcome Larsen Cognac and their team to International Beverage, along with the Renault, Monopol and Ibis brands.
“Cognac is one of the most dynamic categories in spirits today, and we are extremely proud to have such an admired brand and skilled production team joining our business. The Larsen team’s dedication to excellence aligns perfectly with our ethos, and the quality of their portfolio is a perfect complement to our existing whisky, gin, and rum brands.
“This acquisition also marks the start of a new era for International Beverage, and a strategy that will see us add high quality brands across a range of categories and markets to take our business to the next level.”
The deals form part of International Beverage’s strategy to expand its portfolio of premium spirits brands and strengthen its international routes to market to deliver global growth.
