Emperador expands further in Spain

Emperador International Ltd., the international liquor arm of Andrew Tan's listed Alliance Global Group Inc., will invest P5.8 billion in Spain over the next 12 months in line with a strategy to grow its brandy brand globally.

In a statement posted on the Philippine Stock Exchange, Jorge Domecq Bohórquez, managing director of Emperador International, said part of the P5.8 billion has already been funneled into Spain-based brandy houses Bodega San Bruno S.A. and Grupo Emperador Spain S.A.

“We have completed the first phase of our acquisition, which includes a sizable inventory of high-quality, well-matured brandy, which are now being stored and aged in sherry casks, as well as 509 hectares of prime vineyard land in Toledo, Spain,” Domecq said.

Emperador International is now acquiring vineyards and other brandy production facilities, which include distilling and bottling plants in Spain, the statement said, noting that due diligence is being conducted for the said acquisition.

“We have achieved remarkable progress in our investment in Spain, of which we are very pleased,” said Domecq. “Our next steps forward will further strengthen our position as the world’s No.1 brandy company by volume, and make us exceptionally competitive as a global brandy producer.”

Given the successful offering of Emperador Deluxe Spanish Edition, a brandy produced and bottled in Spain, Emperador International eyes other Asian markets.

“We launched Emperador Deluxe early this year to a very warm reception, and the response of the Philippine market continues to be very good. We are looking closely into tapping other Asian markets such as China and Vietnam, initially,” said Domecq.

In February, Emperador International said it wants to double its sales volume and corner a third of the global brandy market within five years.

The company produces Emperador, Generoso and Emperador Light brandy and a line of flavored beverages called The Bar.

Emperador unveiled plans to buy Bodega San Bruno S.A. in January. — Siegfrid O. Alegado/KBK, GMA News