Henkell Group acquires Polish Gin Market Leader

The Henkell & Co. Sektkellerei KG is going to acquire the leading Polish gin brand Gin Lubuski via its subsidiary Vinpol Sp. z.o.o.

Gin Lubuski formerly belonged to the Pernod Ricard Group, which committed itself to sell several brands, including Gin Lubuski, due to competition regulations after its acquisition of V&S Vin & Sprit AB last July. The take-over will take place provided the agreement of the antitrust authorities and the European Commission. Lubuski is the gin market leader in Poland.

Vinpol, acquired by Henkell in September 1997, was founded in 1990 and produces and distributes wines, sparkling wines, wine-based beverages and spirits. In business year 2007, the Henkell Group realised double-digit growth at home and abroad. Sales rose by 7.4 per cent to approximately 18.3 million 9 l cases, including 11.8 million 9 l cases of sparkling wine, 2.6 million 9 l cases of wine and 3.9 million 9 l cases of spirits.

The turnover climbed by an outstanding 11 per cent to € 569 million with above average growth in Central European markets. In 2007 Henkell & Co. employed 527 people in Germany and 1,088 people abroad.