Lucio Co-led The Keepers Holdings Inc., the largest imported liquor distribution in the Philippines, is planning to acquire 100 percent of premium beer importer Booze On-Line Inc. for an undisclosed amount.
In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), Keepers said the price is below 10 percent of Keepers’ total book value as of Sept. 30, 2024.
“The intended transaction offers The Keepers Holdings, Inc. the opportunity to add to its portfolio premium beer brands,” the firm said.
According to its website, Booze Online is one of the leading companies engaged in importing and distributing global wines, spirits and premium beers.
It is the exclusive distributor of Stella Artois, Hoegaarden, Leffe, Becks, Paulaner, Chimay, Delirium Tremenes and other fine spirits in the Philippines.
“We are the pioneer in imported draft beer and considered to be the largest imported beer distributor in the Philippines,” it said.
Also included in the company's portfolio of traded global premium brands are Johnny Walker, Hennesy, Bacardi, Chivas Regal, Jack Daniels, Baileys, Absolut, Ballentines, Remy Martin, Jose Cuervo, Captain Morgan, Martell, The Glenlivet and Grey Goose.
Booze Online also plays a big role in the marketing and distribution of Camus Cognac, Ungava Gin, Russian Standard Vodka and local premium rum, Don Papa. Booze Online is the preferred company of the new global brands who want to enter the Philippine market.
It also has established partnership with the Philippines' top key on-premise accounts like The Distillery, Draft Gastro Pub, Olive Cerveceria, Beso Cucina Vinoteka and Imperial Ice Bar. The firm also caters to hotels, restaurants and leading supermarkets.
Keepers will be acquiring all two million shares of Booze Online at a price to be announced “in due course” from Adarro Holdings Corporation and Rajesh Sadhwani. One of the directors of Adarro, Baby Gerlie I. Sacro, is also the present corporate secretary of Keepers.
Keepers delivered another strong performance for the first nine months of 2024 with net income growing 20 percent to P2.17 billion versus the previous year driven by the strong sales volume performance from the imported brandy segment.
The firm recorded consolidated revenue during the nine-month of 2024 amounting to P11.7 billion, a 15 percent growth versus the previous year on the back of a 18 percent growth in volume of cases sold for the period.
This was driven principally by Alfonso, the leading imported brandy in the market, which has already surpassed its pre-pandemic levels, premiumizing market and on-premise channel rebound.
The Keepers Holdings Group has brought and served Filipino consumers the leading international brands of spirits, wines and specialty beverages into the Philippines.
These iconic global brands include Johnnie Walker, Chivas Regal, Glenfiddich, Suntory, Jinro, Jose Cuervo, Jim Beam, Penfolds, Red Bull and many others.