Brown-Forman Beverages Worldwide, a unit of Brown-Forman Corp., yesterday agreed to act as the sales and marketing representative for Glenmorangie PLC's Glenmorangie and Ardbeg single malt scotch brands in several global markets.
Brown-Forman also will seek to purchase — on the open market — Glenmorangie common stock representing approximately 10 percent of the voting rights in the company.
The markets covered under the agreement include Continental Europe, the Far East, Australia and South America.
Brown-Forman, Louisville, KY, will represent other Glenmorangie brands, such as Glen Moray Single Malt, Martin's and Highland Queen blended scotch, in select markets.
Glenmorangie, Edinburgh, Scotland, expects the agreement to develop its brands in key markets and extend its export market reach.
Glenmorangie Single Malt Scotch is the No. 1 brand in Scotland, No. 2 in the United Kingdom and the No. 3 premium malt brand in the world.
Brown-Forman currently distributes Glenmorangie's malt whisky brands in the United States, where volume has grown at a compound rate of more than 20 percent annually over the past seven years.
Brown-Forman also markets Jack Daniel's, Canadian Mist and Southern Comfort; Fetzer and Bolla wines; Korbel California champagnes; Lenox, Dansk and Gorham tableware; and Hartmann luggage.
The Macdonald Family and Trust, the major shareholders of Glenmorangie, have confirmed that their holdings will remain unchanged by the planned stock transaction, after which the aggregate holdings of Brown-Forman and the Macdonald Family and Trust will total approximately 62.5 percent of the voting rights of Glenmorangie.
Also under the agreement, Michael V. Cheek, president of Brown-Forman Beverages Worldwide North American Group, will join the Glenmorangie board as a nonexecutive director, effective June 1.
