Gruppo Campari Acquires Forty Creek Distillery Ltd.

12 Mar 2014 --- Gruppo Campari has reached an agreement to acquire 100% of Forty Creek Distillery Ltd., the producer of award winning premium Canadian whiskies.

Its flagship brand Forty Creek Whisky is the fastest growing brand in the Canadian whisky category and is well positioned in the USA, one of the Group’s key markets.

Jean Jacques Dubau, Managing Director North America: “We are absolutely delighted to announce today the acquisition of Forty Creek Distillery, producer of the award winning Forty Creek range of premium Canadian whiskies. Through this acquisition we enter the very large and appealing Canadian Whisky category, thus premiumizing our brand portfolio, driving a richer product mix and further leveraging the revival of brown spirits. Moreover, integrating this business will enable us to internalize key activities in the Canadian market as well as position us for further growth in our core US market.”

Founded in 1992 by owner, John Hall, the flagship brand Forty Creek has been credited with bringing heritage, craftsmanship and creativity back to the Canadian whisky category and driving the whisky renaissance forward in Canada through John’s innovative and thoughtful approach to whisky making. Forty Creek Whisky aims to be the Canadian whisky brand most enjoyed for its ability to inspire social camaraderie through its character, great taste and innovative spirit. Forty Creek whiskies have earned highly coveted double gold and gold medals from the world’s most respected competitions, including three-time Canadian Whisky of the Year champion at the Canadian Whisky Awards, and the Distillery has been recognized as Distiller of the Year by Wizards of Whisky, Whisky Magazine & the Canadian Whisky Awards (Appendix 1).

John Hall, founder and Whisky Maker, will remain Chairman of the company and Whisky Maker at Forty Creek Distillery.

Over the years, John Hall has built a very successful Canadian whisky by creating a hand-crafted product, introducing new expressions, and enhancing the brand’s versatility. As a result he effectively attracted new consumers beginning to turn to brown spirits and looking for a richer taste, thus creating renewed interest in Canadian whisky.

John Hall stated: “Today’s deal represents a milestone for myself and the entire Forty Creek team. I believe this opportunity will further support Forty Creek’s vision to produce unique, quality, handcrafted, Canadian-made spirits. Campari has the global ability to take Forty Creek to the next level.Introducing customers around the world to my whisky is a dream come true. I am very excited to continue to devote my time to whisky making at Forty Creek distillery, continuing my whisky journey and exploring my passion for additional Forty Creek whisky expressions. In addition, I am proud to note today’s announcement ensures even greater added economic value to both the Ontario and Canadian economy through Campari’s investment in the Grimsby distillery and the Forty Creek family of brands.”

The acquired business includes the full portfolio of FCD: the stocks, the distillery facilities and a Hospitality Center located in Grimsby, Ontario.

FCD brand portfolio includes whisky, vodka, brandy, rum and liqueurs, with Forty Creek Whisky as its core brand. The Forty Creek whisky family includesBarrel Select, Copper Pot Reserve, Forty Creek Cream Whisky and offers high-end, limited releases including Forty Creek Confederation Oak, Double Barrel and an annual special John K. Hall Reserve release. Forty Creek whiskies are 3-Time Canadian Whisky of the Year champions at the Canadian Whisky Awards (2010-12) and recently captured five gold medals as Best Tasting Whiskies at the Beverage Testing Institute in Chicago (2014).

After the acquisition, all the business structures and processes in place will remain unchanged in Canada. The acquired business will maintain its successful business model in Canada, while also benefitting from the additional support of the Campari organization both in Canada and in other markets.

Through the acquisition of Forty Creek whisky, Campari is well positioned to develop the acquired portfolio in its core markets (Canada and USA) successfully developing the brands’ high-end and handcrafted attributes for future international expansion within the growing and premiumizing Canadian Whisky category. As such, it represents a very valuable and complementary addition to Campari’s existing premium and ultra-premium spirits offering.

In fiscal year ending 31 March 2013, the acquired business achieved total net sales of CAD$ 34.2 million, of which Forty Creek Whisky represents around 62%. In fiscal year ending 31 March 2014, the acquired business is expecting to achieve total net sales of CAD$ 39.5 million, showing an increase of +15.6% compared to the previous year.

The total purchase price for 100% of FCD is CAD $185.6 million on a cash free / debt free basis.

The transaction is expected to close on 2 June 2014.