Pernod Ricard acquires SA's fynbos-infused gin brand Inverroche

Pernod Ricard, one of the biggest producers of alcoholic beverages, has acquired the 20% stake it does not already own in local fynbos-infused gin brand Inverroche. This will make it the owner of brands including Kahlua, Beefeater gin and Absolut vodka, its first wholly owned African spirit brand.



The acquisition, for an undisclosed amount, was finalised in February and follows Pernod Ricard first buying an 80% interest in the Stilbaai-based luxury gin brand in July 2019.



Sola Oke, MD of Pernod Ricard Africa, said in a statement on Tuesday that the investment in Inverroche demonstrated the "continued commitment of our group to Africa" and its belief in the continent's potential as a significant growth opportunity in the premium spirits and champagne segment.



Lorna Scott, who founded Inverroche more than 14 years ago in Stilbaai, will continue working with the brand, with a focus on "brand storytelling" and helping further expand it into other African and global markets, said Inverroche MD Garth Watson in an interview with News24.





Watson said that Inverroche's operations would remain based in Stilbaai, where it permanently employs 45 staff and hires an additional 30 casual employees during busy periods such as December.



As things stand, Inverroche operates in a variety of markets, among them SA, Namibia, Mozambique, Angola and Zambia. It recently also started supplying the Nigerian market and has plans to enter Tanzania.



It has also operated in the US for about two years and has a market presence in the UK, Germany, France, Italy, and Australia.

-FIN24