FDBusiness.com

Campari Group has signed a deal to acquired French drinks distributor Baron Philippe de Rothschild France Distribution (RFD) for an enterprise value of €60 million, subject to customary price adjustments. RFD, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Baron Philippe de Rothschild, specialises in the distribution of a diversified portfolio of international premium spirit, wine and champagne brands in France.

RFD has been the exclusive distributor of Campari Group’s brand portfolio, including Aperol, Campari, Glen Grant, Riccadonna and Grand Marnier, for the French market since 2009. RFD achieved reported sales of €145.1 million, which includes the net sales of Campari Group owned brands, in 2018. The deal is expected to close during the first quarter of 2020, subject to customary antitrust approval.

Bob Kunze-Concewitz (pictured), chief executive of Campari Group, comments: “This contemplated acquisition is a key step forward into Campari Group’s long-term growth strategy aimed at continuously strengthening our route-to-market globally. France is a core and high potential market for Campari Group, mainly thanks to our aperitifs business and the newly acquired rhum agricole premium brands Trois Rivières and La Mauny. This deal offers us a unique opportunity to in-source RFD’s strong distribution capabilities and therefore operate directly in this market, benefitting from significantly increased critical mass as well as enhanced focus on our core brand portfolio.”