History

The Pernod Ricard Group is one of the leading companies in the global wine and spirits sector and, in 2015, Pernod Ricard celebrated 40 years in the industry. Since its inception, the company has experienced steady growth and, in the past ten years, it has developed through major acquisitions to become one of the largest companies in the wine and spirits industry.

From the outset in 1975, Pernod Ricard has undergone sustained development based on both organic growth and gradual acquisitions. Building on premium brands, our presence on all continents and our decentralised structure, we will continue to develop and grow internationally.

1975 Pernod Ricard established through the merger of two French anise liqueur-based spirits companies: Pernod and Ricard. Acquisition of Campbell Distillers of Scotland.

1980 Acquisition of Austin Nichols (bourbon) in the US.

1982 Acquisition of the SIA MPA, of France, world leader in the preparation of fruit and dairy products, which was subsequently divested in 2002.

1984 Acquisition of Orangina, which was divested in 2001. 

1985 Acquisition of Ramazzotti (bitters) of Italy.

1988 Acquisition of Irish Distillers (Irish whiskey) and its subsidiary BWG, a distribution company in Ireland and the UK, which was divested in 2002.

1989 Acquisition of Orlando Wyndham Group (wine) in Australia.

1993 Establishment of Havana Club International (rum) in Cuba.

1997 Acquisition of Larios (gin, cognac and wines) in Spain.

1999 Acquisition of Yerevan Brandy Company (brandy) of Armenia.

2001 Acquisition of 38 percent of Seagram’s wine and spirits, acquisition of Wyborowa SA, formerly Polmos Poznan (vodka) and acquisition of Jan Becher (bitters).

2002 A partnership with Sogrape is established for the distribution of Sandeman (port), and a new partnership agreement is established with Kirin for the distribution of Four Roses (bourbon).

2005 Acquisition of Allied Domecq (wines and spirits) in partnership with Fortune Brands.

2008 Acquisition of the Swedish group V&S (wines and spirits) which includes Absolut Vodka.

2011 Premium Wine Brands created to form a portfolio of Pernod Ricard’s priority wineries.

2014 Acquisition of US winery Kenwood.

2014 Acquisition of large portions of Tequila Avión Premium in Mexico.

2015 Alexandre Ricard becomes the new CEO of Pernod Ricard.