Pernod Ricard sells a majority stake in Societe des Produits d’Armagnac (SPA) to Alexander Stein

FEB. 2 2021 – Pernod Ricard completed today the sale of a majority stake in Société des Produits d’Armagnac (SPA) to Cloudsweeper GmbH, an entity wholly owned by entrepreneur Alexander Stein.

Created in the 1930s and based in Eauze – considered the capital of Armagnac – in the Southwest of France, SPA owns Armagnac brands Marquis de Montesquiou and Comte de Lauvia. SPA has an established position within major Armagnac markets such as France, the United Kingdom, Russia and the United States, and has an exceptional inventory of aged eaux-de-vie.

Alexander Stein is a recognized innovator in the spirit industry. He has built a long-standing and strong relationship with Pernod Ricard through the ultra-premium gin brand Monkey 47, which was fully acquired by Pernod Ricard in 2020. Both partners recently launched the bourbon infused with habanero Horse with No Name.

This operation should contribute to the growth of Marquis de Montesquiou and Comte de Lauvia brands by providing them with a new development strategy in France and abroad at a moment when the sales of Armagnac are recovering quickly. As member of this partnership, Pernod Ricard will support Alexander Stein in leading these two brands to success.

ABOUT PERNOD RICARD
Pernod Ricard is the world’s No 2 in wines and spirits with consolidated sales of €8,824 million in FY 2021. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has undergone sustained development, based on both organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin&Sprit (2008).

Pernod Ricard, which owns 16 of the Top 100 Spirits Brands, holds one of the most prestigious and comprehensive brand portfolios in the industry, including: Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute, and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Malibu liqueur, Mumm and Perrier-Jouët champagnes, as well Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo, and Kenwood wines.

Pernod Ricard’s brands are distributed across 160+ markets and by its own salesforce in 73 markets. The Group’s decentralised organisation empowers its 18,500 employees to be true on-the-ground ambassadors of its vision of “Créateurs de Convivialité.” As reaffirmed by the Group’s strategic plan, “Transform and Accelerate,” deployed in 2018, Pernod Ricard’s strategy focuses on investing in long-term, profitable growth for all stakeholders.

The Group remains true to its three founding values: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust, and a strong sense of ethics, as illustrated by the 2030 Sustainability and Responsibility roadmap supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), “Good times from a good place.” In recognition of Pernod Ricard’s strong commitment to sustainable development and responsible consumption, it has received a Gold rating from Ecovadis. Pernod Ricard is also a United Nations’ Global Compact LEAD company. Pernod Ricard is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI; ISIN Code: FR0000120693) and is part of the CAC 40 and Eurostoxx 50 indices.

SOURCE: Pernod Ricard