Stateways

StateWays - July/August 2015

StateWays is the only magazine exclusively covering the control state system within the beverage alcohol industry, with annual updates from liquor control commissions and alcohol control boards and yearly fiscal reporting from control jurisdictions

Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/542624

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 9 of 51

StateWays ■ www.stateways.com ■ July/August 2015 10 Sidney Frank Importing Acquired Mast-Jägermeister, the global manufacturer of its namesake spirits brand, has agreed to acquire the full stock of its U.S.-based importer, Sidney Frank Importing Company, Inc. The two companies have worked closely together since 1974, when SFIC, a privately held and family-owned company, started to market Jägermeister in the U.S. "Our companies have been working in a trusted partnership for more than four decades," said Michael Volke, Member of the Exec- utive Board of Mast-Jägermeister. "As we think about the future, acquiring SFIC is a logical next step in our long-term strategy in the US market and creates the framework for the next exciting chapter of the Jägermeister brand." Said John Frank, Vice Chairman of SFIC, "We are confi dent this move will be a win for our employ- ees, our customers, our consumers and their world-renowned spirits brand." DIAGEO PRESIDENT ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT Larry Schwartz, President Diageo North America, has announced his intention to retire at the end of the calen- dar year, after 40 years in the drinks industry. "I am proud to be a bar- tender's son and grandson, and am so privileged to have enjoyed 40 years in an in- dustry I love," Schwartz said in a press release. "Working with Diageo's brands and people has been the highlight of a career that has brought me much joy. It has been an honor to work alongside Ivan and all my colleagues in Dia- geo over these past 15 years." "Today is an opportunity to recognize Larry's achieve- ments and thank him for his commitment and dedi- cation to Diageo," said Ivan Menezes, Chief Executive. "Through his strong rela- tionships across the industry and within Diageo and his passion for our business and our brands, he has helped build Diageo's leadership po- sition in our largest market." PA Governor Vetoes Privatization Bill Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf exercised his veto power on July 2 to block a bill that would have privatized the state's liquor industry. The bill would have permitted private stores to sell wine and liquor. Presently, such products are pur- chasable only at state-controlled shops. Republicans who proposed the legislation are looking to lease Pennsylvania's wholesale operations and eventually shut down all state stores. The bill passed the Republican-led legislature, largely along party lines. Not a single House democrat voted for the measure. Pennsylvania is the largest state-controlled liquor industry in terms of annual sales. F Y I NHLC MAKES RECORD PURCHASE The New Hampshire Liquor Commission announced the purchase of 15 barrels of Jack Daniel's Single Barrel whiskey, or the equiva- lent of 3,750 bottles. "Thanks to our record sales, which reached $626 million in FY 14, including $345 million in spirits alone, the New Hampshire Liquor Commission has tremendous buying power and industry awareness and is afforded unique opportunities to acquire and de- liver exclusive products for our consumers," said NHLC Chairman Joseph W. Mollica. In late April, NHLC spirits marketing specialist Mark Roy traveled to the small town of Lynchburg, home to the Jack Daniel's Distillery, to obtain fi rst-hand knowledge of the Jack Daniel's whiskey-making process and to hand-select the 15 barrels of Single Barrel with the assistance of Jack Daniel's Master Distiller Jeff Arnett, Assistant Master Distiller Chris Fletcher and representatives from Brown-For- man and Horizon Beverage Company.

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of Stateways - StateWays - July/August 2015