Grupo Licores de Guatemala has bolstered its presence in Europe with the acquisition of Puerto de Indias gin from HIG Capital.
Licores de Guatemala, home to brands including Botran rum and Xibal gin, said Puerto de Indias had “a leading position” in flavoured gin in Spain. Private-equity firm HIG Capital has controlled Puerto de Indias since 2018.
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Financial terms were not disclosed. In a statement, Licores de Guatemala said it expects to close the deal by the end of January. The company is aiming to “accelerate the growth” of Puerto de Indias in Spain and “other key markets”.
In a statement, Licores de Guatemala CEO Douglas Franco said: “This acquisition embodies our long-term vision, which seeks to consolidate our presence in high-value strategic markets. It reinforces our commitment to Spain and Europe as key markets for the company’s global growth and reaffirms our commitment to sustainable international expansion, hand in hand with strong brands that have identity and potential.”
The distillery for Puerto de Indias is in Seville in southern Spain. A range of gins, including strawberry and blackberry, are sold under the brand.
Puerto de Indias was founded by brothers Jose Antonio and Francisco Rodriguez Fernandez in 2013. Five years later, they sold a majority stake to HIG Capital.
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By GlobalDataBorja de Parias, the principal of HIG, in Spain, said: “During our time as shareholders, we worked to professionalise the organisation, prepare the company for its international development with HIG’s support and capabilities and consolidate the brand in its domestic market after its disruptive entry with the iconic strawberry gin, making it the undisputed leader in the flavoured gin segment.
“We are convinced that Grupo Licores de Guatemala is the ideal partner to lead the next phase of growth, enhance the organisation’s current capabilities and, together with the current management team, drive new development opportunities that Grupo Licores de Guatemala brings to the business.”
The Licores de Guatemala product range also includes Zacapa rum, which the company says has a presence in more than 120 markets.
Licores de Guatemala owns Zacapa through Rum Creation & Products, a venture it runs with Diageo. Both companies own a 50% stake in the venture.
