Fortune Brands cleared to acquire Maker's Mark
Maker's Mark is among the more than 20 spirits and wine brands included in Fortune Brands' previously announced transaction with Pernod Ricard.
03/10/05 Fortune Brands, Inc. has announced that the U.S. Federal Trade Commission has terminated the waiting period to review the company's proposed acquisition of the Maker's Mark bourbon brand. The FTC's action clears the way for Fortune Brands to unconditionally complete the purchase of Maker's Mark and its related facilities, including the distillery in Loretto, Kentucky.
Maker's Mark is among the more than 20 spirits and wine brands included in Fortune Brands' previously announced transaction with Pernod Ricard. While Fortune Brands closed the transaction for the acquisition of the brands on July 26th following Pernod Ricard's acquisition of Allied Domecq, the purchase of Maker's Mark remained subject to regulatory review in the U.S.
The company's new spirits and wine brands - which also include Sauza tequila, Courvoisier cognac, Canadian Club whisky, Laphroaig single-malt Scotch, Clos du Bois wines and several leading national brands - place it among the top four spirits companies in the world and will more than double Fortune Brands' sales of spirits and wine. The company expects to complete the purchase of Maker's Mark in the near future.
