Diageo is selling 19 of its non-premium brands to Sazerac in a deal worth a reported US$550 million.
The net proceeds of approximately £340 million, after tax and transaction costs, will be returned to shareholders through a share repurchase.
The brands included in the transaction are Seagram’s VO, Seagram’s 83, Sea-gram’s Five Star, Myers’s, Parrot Bay, Romana Sambuca, Popov, Yukon Jack, Goldschlager, Stirrings, The Club, Scoresby, Black Haus, Peligroso, Relska, Grind, Piehole, Booth’s and John Begg.
Diageo has agreed to enter into long-term supply contracts with Sazerac on completion for five of the brands each for a period of ten years. Supply of all other brands will transition to Sazerac within a one year period from completion.
Ivan Menezes, Chief Executive of Diageo, said: “Diageo has a clear strategy to deliver consistent efficient growth and value creation for our shareholders. This includes a disciplined approach to allocating resources and capital to ensure we maximize returns over time. .. The disposal of these brands enables us to have even greater focus on the faster growing premium and above brands in the US spirits portfolio.”
