Pernod Ricard India is to sell its Imperial Blue business division to Tilaknagar Industries (TI), the alcoholic beverage company in India.
The strategic move comes as Pernod Ricard sharpens its focus on more profitable and faster growing brands in India.
Imperial Blue whisky was launched in India in 1997, and became part of Pernod Ricard in 2002.
TI’s brand portfolio features brandy brands Mansion House, Courrier Napoleon and Monarch Legacy Edition, along with whisky, rum, and gin brands, with Mansion House Whisky, Madiraa Rum and Blue Lagoon Gin.
Alexandre Ricard, chairman and CEO of Pernod Ricard, said: “We are pleased to announce the sale of the Imperial Blue business division, a strategic move to sharpen our focus on more profitable and faster growing brands in India, like in the rest of the world.
“This transaction represents a win-win for all stakeholders involved, both at the global and local level. It fuels our ambition to succeed even further in one of our top markets. This will further streamline our operations as we continue to invest in India’s outstanding growth.”
Jean Touboul, CEO of Pernod Ricard India, added: “By exiting the Admix Value segment, this disposal will allow Pernod Ricard India to unlock further profitable growth and sharpen its focus on premiumization and innovation.
“It will also enable the company to allocate resources more effectively toward high-growth brands such as Royal Stag, which has already surpassed the 30-million cases milestone, Blenders Pride, and international brands like Chivas, Jameson, Absolut, and Ballantine’s.
“Driving the next phase of growth, we are entering an exciting new chapter, one that will see bold innovations and an expanded premium portfolio tailored specifically for the evolving Indian consumer.”