Press releases
03/05/2010 : Completion of the selected local Nordic brands disposal
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Press release – Paris, 3 May 2010
Following satisfaction of regulatory closing conditions and in line with the previous press release of 15 February 2010, Pernod Ricard announces the completion of the sale to Altia of a number of Swedish and Danish assets for a cash consideration of SEK 835 million, or € 87 million at current exchange rate.
About Altia
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.
About 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.
Contacts Pernod Ricard
Olivier CAVIL / Communication VP Tel: +33 (0)1 41 00 40 90
Denis FIEVET / Financial Communication – Investor Relations VP Tel: +33 (0)1 41 00 41 71
Florence TARON / Press Relations Manager Tel: +33 (0)1 41 00 40 88