Agenzia Giornalistica
direttore Paolo Pagliaro

Campari buys Copack and continues to grow in Australia

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Campari buys Copack and continues to grow in Australia

June 28 - The Campari Group signed an agreement to acquire the assets of Copack Beverage A Limited Partnership ("Copack"), a leading beverage bottler in Australia, specialized in beverages packaging in cans and glass, and current supplier of the Group Campari for ready-to-drink products. Copack was founded in Melbourne in 2007, and since 2010 is a supplier of Wild Turkey Campari products in Australia. Thanks to its innovative capacity, Copack supported the Campari Group in the launch of a series of successful brands in Australia, including American Honey, created in 2012. In addition, Copack is active in the production and supply of a variety of well-known products in the Australian market. With its current production capacity and customer portfolio, Copack is well positioned to continue to expand and increase production efficiency. "After three years of operation in Australia -said the company in a note -, the Campari Group has deemed it necessary and timely to internalize production. Copack’s acquisition was considered the preferred option compared to any investment in the creation of a production facility from scratch on site." This acquisition further strengthens the Group’s international management of the supply chain, as it improves the local structure’s flexibility, increases control over quality, and strengthens the innovation capacities. As a result, the operation is an important opportunity to support the future growth of the Group in the Asia-Pacific region. The Campari Group will pay A$20 million (equivalent to approximately €14.2 million at the current exchange rate) in the absence of cash or debt for land, buildings, manufacturing activities and working capital. Completion of the acquisition is expected by the third quarter of 2013. The recovery period (payback period) of the investment is estimated to be about 6 years.


6.1% OF TOTAL SALES TO AUSTRALIA

In 2012 the Campari Group's sales in the Australian market amounted to 6.1% of the consolidated total. The Campari Group created its own direct marketing and distribution structure in Australia in 2010 following the acquisition of Wild Turkey in 2009 – to date the largest operation of the Group. Previously, marketing and sale were carried out by third party distributors. The Group's main brands distributed in Australia include ready-to-drink Wild Turkey and Wild Turkey bourbon. In 2011, the Campari Group introduced American Honey, part of the Wild Turkey portfolio and one of the most successful products in Australia. In 2012 the Group further innovated by successfully launching its portfolio of local ready-to-drink American Honey. The local portfolio includes other spirits, including Skyy Vodka, Campari, Frangelico, Aperol and Riccadonna sparkling wine. In addition, as part of the Group's business in the Asia-Pacific region, the recent acquisition of Lascelles deMercado & Co. Ltd. added to the Campari portfolio the Jamaican dark rum, Coruba, a brand leader in New Zealand. The Campari Group currently owns and operates 15 plants in nine countries: Italy (four production plants), Greece, Scotland, Ukraine, Jamaica (three production facilities), Mexico, United States, Argentina, and Brazil (two production facilities). In addition, it owns and operates four wineries: three in Italy (Sella & Mosca, Teruzzi & Puthod and Enrico Serafino) and one in France (Lamargue).

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