SWEDEN: Vin & Sprit privatisation still on track - report

By just-drinks.com editorial team | 4 October 2007

The Swedish government is keen to progress with its privatisation of state-owned Vin & Sprit, despite the resignation of two key officials in the process earlier this week.

Speaking after questions in parliament, Financial Markets Minister Mats Odell was cited by Dow Jones yesterday (3 October) as saying that the Government does not expect any delays in the process, which also covers five other state-owned companies.

Among the contenders for V&S, which produces the Absolut vodka brand, are Fortune Brands, Diageo, Pernod Ricard and Bacardi.

General consensus amongst speculators suggests that Fortune is the front-runner, as it handles distribution of Absolut in the US and the two companies are partners in the distribution group Maxxium.

Sectors: Spirits

Companies: Absolut, V&S, Fortune Brands, Diageo, Pernod, Ricard, Bacardi, Maxxium