Overseas acquisitions by PHL companies in 2015

The acquisition by Emperador Inc. of Spanish premium brandy Fundador and other brands owned by Beam Suntory for €275 million or P13.8 billion is one of the biggest investments overseas by a Philippine company.

Emperador says it sealed the deal to buy Beam Suntory's brandy and sherry business in Jerez for P13.8 billion in cash. 

Through its Spanish subsidiary Grupo Emperador Spain S.A, Emperador acquired the brands of Fundador Pedro Domecq, Terry Centenario, Tres Capas, and Harveys.

"These brands carry a unique heritage and market leadership position in their respective categories," Emperador said. "The all cash offer has been agreed at a value of €275 million or P13.8 billion."

The acquisition is a "very proud moment for us Filipinos," Kevin Tan, executive director of Alliance Global Inc., the parent company of Emperador, said in a Skype interview with GMA News. 

"Itong kumpanyang ito ay napaka-gandang asset. Marami pong ibang kumpanya all over the world who were very interested to purchase itong kumpanyang ito," Tan added.

Other Philippine companies have also expanded overseas market this year, according to Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) data.

The year started off with the acquisition by restaurant and food brand firm Max's Group Inc. (MGI) of two companies abroad. 

MGI bought all the membership interests in Singapore-based management consultancy services provider Global Max Services Pte. Ltd for $1.006 million in January. The acquisition would let the company consolidate its support services for both local and international operations.

"Such an acquisition will enable the company to benefit from certain cost and operational efficiencies," MGI said.

The group also acquired Colorado-based eMax's LLC, a company primarily engaged in granting franchises for the development and operation of restaurants under the Max's brand within North America.

"Such an acquisition will allow all shareholders of MGI to benefit from the expected growth of the Max's restaurant business in North America, consistent with the company's strategy and rationale for the integration," MGI said.

Korea land deal

In the same month, casino operator Bloomberry Resorts Corp. acquired parcels of land with a total area of 12.2 hectares in Muui Island, South Korea. 

"The property is within the coverage of the Incheon Free Economic Zone and is intended to be developed into a leisure and tourism complex with entertainment facilities and mixed-use development," Bloomberry said.

The parcels of land will be acquired under the company's Korean subsidiary, Solaire Korea Co. Ltd.

In March, technology firm Xurpas Inc. announces the acquisition of a 49-percent interest in the parent company of Indonesian mobile content developer Ninelives Interactive. 

Xurpas says it paid $245,000 for the stake in PT Sembilan Digital Investema, gaining control of the company which has been in the business of mobile content development and distribution with Indonesia's top carriers Telkomsel, XL Axiata, and Indosat over the past three years.

In the same month, Xurpas buys a 31.52-percent stake in Singapore-based game developer MatchMe Pte. Ltd. 

"As consumers move from feature phones to smart phones, new platforms like MatchMe enable us to deliver amazing experiences to the next wave of mobile gamers," says Xurpas President and CEO Nix Nolledo said.

The acquisition gives Xurpas exclusive rights to use MatchMe for telco deployment in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand.

In April, Philippine Long Distance Company (PLDT) unveiled a $15-million investment in Internet TV service iflix.

The investment is in line with PLDT's plans to develop new revenue streams and complement its business by participating in the digital world.

iflix, which offers movies and television shows from the US and Asia, is targeting 600 million consumers in Southeast Asia.

Quorn Foods

Ever on the prowl for good and strategic buys, Xurpas acquires 666,666 shares or 4.5 percent of American startup Quick.ly, a search engine for mobile devices for a total investment of $999,999.00. 

Quick.ly is the operating company of Idealab, the Pasadena, California-based creator and operator of technology businesses.

In September, Asia United Bank (AUB) bought 100 percent of Singapore-based remittance company Pinoy Express PTE Limited. 

"The decision to invest in Pinoy Express PTE Limited is expected to improve Asia United Bank Corporation's coverage of the Singapore remittance market," says the bank.

Pinoy Express is a remittance company licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore which caters mostly to Filipinos in Singapore.

The acquisition is expected to boost AUB's earnings per share.

In October, instant noodles maker Monde Nissin Corp. bought British meat substitute company Quorn Foods for $831 million, driven by the rising demand for health foods. 

"Quorn Foods aimed to benefit from a trend of consumers eating healthier food and less meat. It claims that in the past five years it has cut 60 billion calories from consumers' diets," Reuters reported.

That same month, Jollibee Foods Corp. (JFC) acquired a 40-percent stake in Denver, Colorado-based Smashburger Master LLC for around $99 million. 

"This acquisition will make JFC's presence in the US more significant, going beyond the Filipino market and serving the mainstream consumers in the $100-billion US burger market," JFC said.

Smashburger operates 339 restaurants in 35 American states and seven foreign markets, with an estimated system-wide sales of $339 million this year or about 12 percent of Jollibee's estimated worldwide sales. – with Jannielyn Bigtas/Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/VS, GMA News