Lucas Bols and Rémy Cointreau Create Passoã Joint Venture
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14th October 2016 Lucas Bols and Rémy Cointreau create Passoã joint venture operated by Lucas Bols Transaction significantly strengthens global brands portfolio and is expected to add around 25% to the group’s revenue Lucas Bols N.V., a leading global cocktail and spirits player (“Lucas Bols”), today announces it has reached agreement with the Rémy Cointreau Group (“Rémy Cointreau”) regarding the formation of a joint venture which will operate and further develop the global activities of the iconic Passoã brand. Highlights Lucas Bols will assume operational and financial control of the joint venture as per the closing of the transaction which is expected before the end of 2016. Rémy Cointreau will contribute the full Passoã activities, including distribution, manufacturing, trademarks and inventory and Lucas Bols will contribute working capital and its know-how and expertise in the liqueur and cocktail business. Passoã’s global footprint is highly complementary to Lucas Bols’ geographical presence, while increased volume from the Passoã activities will increase Lucas Bols’ distribution strength. The joint venture will strengthen Lucas Bols’ higher margin global brands segment, adding a complementary, world famous brand and significant revenue. The joint venture structure enables Lucas Bols a smooth transition while maintaining a prudent financing structure. The transaction will be earnings accretive. The joint venture is expected to result in an increase of around 20% in the earnings per share for Lucas Bols on a full year basis. In due time, the joint venture could lead to the acquisition by Lucas Bols of all shares in the joint venture. Huub van Doorne, CEO Lucas Bols: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to further build the Passoã brand, a brand I have been acquainted with for the past 25 years. With Passoã we add an iconic premium brand to our global brands portfolio, strengthening our position in several of our core markets while utilization of our existing distribution network will be enhanced. Furthermore, we see ample opportunities to grow the Passoã brand in a number of markets, including the US. Passoã will benefit from our strategic focus, as a key brand in our global brands portfolio. The chosen transaction structure allows for a smooth transition while maintaining a prudent financing structure. With Passoã we are consolidating a high cash generative business, enabling us to capitalize on future growth opportunities. Adding the Passoã brand to our platform allows us to demonstrate how we can increase our operational leverage and thereby create shareholder value.” 1 Valérie Chapoulaud-Floquet, CEO of the Rémy Cointreau Group: “Rémy Cointreau and Lucas Bols have had a long history of business partnerships and this joint venture is a new milestone in this fruitful relationship. The Rémy Cointreau group always strives to do what is best for its brands, and we are confident that the Passoã brand will thrive and show its full potential under the management of Lucas Bols. Besides, the creation of this joint venture enables Rémy Cointreau to accelerate its refocus on its portfolio of exceptional spirits, which is at the core of the group’s strategy.” The Passoã business Passoã, the passion drink, is the leading passion fruit liqueur globally. The Passoã brand has been created in 1986 and is blended and bottled in Angers, France since. The Passoã brand is sold in over 40 countries and generates 85% of sales in Western Europe and the remainder in North America and Japan. Strategic rationale Seamless fit with Lucas Bols’ global brands portfolio and strategy Passoã, the passion fruit liqueur, is an iconic premium brand and adding Passoã to the premium and super premium portfolio fits very well within Lucas Bols’ strategic ambition to strengthen and grow the global brands. Passoã is a key ingredient in various cocktails and has its own signature cocktail, adding to our mission to create great cocktail experiences around the world. The Passoã brand is complementary to the Bols Liqueurs range and the Italian liqueurs. Increases distribution strength There is a significant overlap in distribution partners between the joint venture and the Lucas Bols brand portfolio. Adding Passoã will increase the distribution strength of Lucas Bols as Passoã increases the group’s sales volumes significantly. It especially strengthens Lucas Bols’ position in France, Belgium and the UK. Furthermore the joint venture will enable Lucas Bols to leverage its own distribution network in the Netherlands and the US, generating synergies from distribution efficiencies. Lucas Bols believes that it will be able to further grow the Passoã brand, building on the recent successes of Passoã in the on-trade environment in various markets. As Passoã is currently sold in over 40 countries, there are opportunities for distribution expansion into new markets, building on the global presence of the Bols Liqueurs range and Galliano. Leverages Lucas Bols’ strong operational platform The joint venture shall require only limited additional overhead investments. Lucas Bols will contribute to the joint venture its strong marketing capabilities and proven track record in building brand equity. For the foreseeable future production will remain in Angers, France, benefiting from Rémy Cointreau’s extensive expertise. This aspect together with the overlap in distribution partners allows for a smooth transition over time, which is to the benefit of the Passoã brand. Furthermore, the transaction structure fully facilitates Lucas Bols’ asset light business model. Earnings per share accretive The joint venture is expected to generate revenues of around €18 million on a full year basis, with margins in line with Lucas Bols’ global brand EBIT margins. Thus, the joint venture is expected to add around 20% earnings per share for Lucas Bols on a full year basis (based on 2015/16 earnings per share). Transaction details After the establishment of the joint venture, which will be based in France, Lucas Bols will perform day to day management of the joint venture and run the Passoã brand in the ordinary course of business. Lucas Bols will assume operational and financial control of the joint venture. Lucas Bols will consolidate the full financials of the joint venture into its accounts and the results will be fully attributable to the 2 shareholders of Lucas Bols, net of interest on debt assumed. Lucas Bols shall fund the joint venture’s working capital requirements which are, at the establishment of the joint venture, equal to an amount of €5 million. In due time, the joint venture could lead to the acquisition by Lucas Bols of all shares in the joint venture then held by Rémy Cointreau. The transaction is expected to close before the end of 2016. Kempen & Co acts as financial advisor and Loyens & Loeff as legal advisor to Lucas Bols on this transaction. For further information www.lucasbols.com Huub van Doorne (CEO) / Joost de Vries (CFO) +31 20 570 85 48 A copy of the investor presentation will be available from 9.00 AM on the website. About Lucas Bols Lucas Bols is the world’s oldest distilled spirits brand and one of the oldest Dutch companies still in business. Building on its more than 440 year-old heritage dating back to 1575, the company has mastered the art of distilling, mixing and blending liqueurs, genever, gin and vodka. Lucas Bols owns a portfolio of more than 20 premium and super premium brands of different spirits used in cocktail bars worldwide. Its products are sold in more than 110 countries around the world. Lucas Bols has been listed on Euronext Amsterdam (BOLS) since 4 February 2015, Lucas Bols holds the number one position in liqueur ranges worldwide (outside the USA) and is the world’s largest player in the genever segment. Many of Lucas Bols’ other products have market or category-leading positions. Furthermore, Lucas Bols is a leading player in the bartending community. Through the House of Bols Cocktail & Genever Experience and Europe’s largest bartending school, the Bols Bartending Academy, the company provides inspiration and education to both bartenders and consumers. About Rémy Cointreau The Rémy Cointreau Group is a leading operator in the global Wine & Spirits market with sales of €1,050.7 million for the year ended 31 March 2016 and approximately 1,800 employees. Rémy Cointreau, whose origins in the Charente region date back to 1724, is the result of the merger in 1990 of the holding companies of the Hériard Dubreuil and Cointreau families, which controlled E. Rémy Martin & Cie SA and Cointreau & Cie SA respectively. It owns a portfolio of global, upmarket brands, including the Rémy Martin and Louis XIII cognacs, the Cointreau and Passoã liqueurs as well as the Metaxa, Mount Gay, St-Rémy, Bruichladdich and The Botanist spirits. Rémy Cointreau is listed on NYSE Euronext Paris. Financial calendar 17 November 2016 Publication of 2016/17 half-year results 8 June 2017 Publication of full year results 2016/17 7 September 2017 Annual General Meeting 3 .