• just-drinks home
• Companies

V&S Group

Pernod Ricard's victory in the race to buy Vin & Sprit has sent shockwaves across the global spirits industry, whilst also throwing up a vast array of questions. In a spotlight special, Jessica Harvey picks through the finer details of the deal to find answers to those questions. Esewhere on the just-drinks site, Olly Wehring talks to Tom Flocco, president and CEO of Beam Global Spirits & Wine, who had been everyone's hot favourite to win V&S's hand.

---

Constellation's US$885m purchase of Fortune Brands' wine portfolio further adds to the acquisitive US company's impressive line-up. Chris Losh believes the deal makes perfect sense for Constellation, and for Fortune Brands could be part of the company's preparation to enter the auction for Absolut vodka.

---

The Swedish spirits producer V&S Group is up for sale and, with the global premium vodka brand Absolut as its prime asset, has attracted much attention from major international players. Jeremy Cunnington of Euromonitor International weighs up the pros and cons of a move for V&S facing the likely bidders.

---

V&S Group’s move into the local Chinese spirits market via a joint venture with Sichuan company JianNanChun offers the Swedish company access to the growing premium sector of a massive spirits industry. Sam Mulligan examines the opportunities and challenges presented by the huge baijiu market which is proving such a tempting proposition to international companies.

10 things you should know about... Vin & Sprit

---

On the back of a raft of acquisitions, Central European Distribution Corporation (CEDC) has grown to become a major force in both the Polish and Hungarian spirits markets. Bill Carey, the company’s chairman, president and CEO, spoke with Olly Wehring about CEDC’s rapid rise to prominence and its plans for further expansion the Central and Eastern European region.

Pernod Ricard has declined to comment on a report out of Sweden that the group is to sell off all Vin & Sprit brands apart from Absolut vodka.

---

Pernod Ricard has completed the sale of three ex-Vin & Sprit brands to Arcus Gruppen, but competition concerns have forced the drinks giant to remove Gronstedt Cognac from the deal and sell to Altia instead.

---

The president of Vin & Sprit Absolut has announced his intention to step down from the post later this year.

---

Pernod Ricard has signed a deal with Norway's Arcus Gruppen to sell several drinks brands acquired as part of its takeover of Vin & Sprit.

---

Vin & Sprit, the owner of Swedish vodka brand Absolut has launched legal proceedings against UK radio station Absolute Radio for infringement of its trademark.

---

Pernod Ricard has announced it has completed its €5.69bn acquisition of Absolut vodka owner Vin & Sprit, after receiving the green light from EU competition authorities.

---

Pernod Ricard has been set a selection of hoops to jump through ahead of the closure of its acquisition of Vin & Sprit.

---

The European Commission has delayed its decision on Pernod Ricard's proposed acquisition of Vin & Sprit.

---

Vin & Sprit has unveiled an addition to its Cruzan flavoured rum portfolio in the US.

---

A New York court has dismissed Fortune Brand’s claim for an injunction to prevent the transfer of a minority stake in its Beam Global Spirits & Wine unit to the Swedish government by Vin & Sprit, according to reports.

---

Fortune is believed to have offered US350m for Vin & Sprit’s 10% stake in Beam Global, according to reports.

---

The court action embarked upon by Fortune Brands to stop a 10% stake in its Beam Global Brands subsidiary passing from V&S to the Swedish state will not delay the sale of V&S to Pernod Ricard, a government spokesperson has said.

---

The head of Beam Global Spirits & Wine has said the company has “a lot of dry powder”, and will consider other acquisitions following its failure to capture Vin & Sprit earlier this month.

---

Vin & Sprit has moved to stave off a possible boycott of Absolut vodka in the US, by pulling a controversial advert in neighbouring Mexico.

---

Davide Campari-Milano would consider buying brands that Pernod Ricard might sell off following its acquisition of Vin & Sprit, according to an interview with the Italian company's CEO.

---

Vin & Sprit has unveiled a promotional push for its Absolut vodka brand that specifically targets the gay community in the US.

---

Maxxium has said that “nothing will change” at the distributor, following this week’s announcement that Pernod Ricard is to buy Vin & Sprit.

---

Pernod Ricard has won the auction for Vin & Sprit, beating Fortune Brands to the Absolut vodka trademark.

---

Fortune Brands has said that it will launch a “high-return” share programme, in light of its failure to acquire Vin & Sprit.

---

Vin & Sprit has welcomed today’s (31 March) announcement that Pernod Ricard is set to take control of the Swedish company.

---

The sale of the Swedish state-owned makers of Absolut Vodka, Vin & Sprit, is progressing “according to plan”, as speculation mounts that a buyer will be named in the coming weeks.

---

Bacardi is the latest major drinks company thought to have teamed up with a local private equity firm, in its hopes to win the auction for Sweden’s Vin & Sprit group.

---

Fortune Brands has refused to be drawn on speculation claiming the company has taken a partner in its bid to acquire Vin & Sprit.

---

The deadline for the second round of bids for Vin & Sprit (V&S) has been set.