Pernod Ricard restructures

Pernod Ricard has rearranged its management structure, taking into account its recent acquisition of Allied Domecq

Pernod Ricard has rearranged its management structure, taking into account its recent acquisition of Allied Domecq. The company, which is the second biggest in spirits (after Diageo) and third in wine, has arranged itself into four autonomous regions, namely Pernod Ricard Europe, Americas, Asia and Pacific. Emphasising Pernod Ricard’s strength in marketing, there will be four separate brand owners, namely Chivas Brothers (handling whiskies and Beefeater gin), Martell, Mumm, Perrier-Jouët (including Havana Club), Pernod SA and Ricard SA. The reorganisation was primarily motivated by the recent expansion of the group’s wine and Champagne portfolio that came with its acquisition of Allied Domecq. Pernod’s separate wine division, Vitica, has been closed.

The group hopes to combine Allied Domecq’s strength in customer relations and its focus on wine with Pernod Ricard’s strength in marketing and branding. Jean-Manuel Spriet, CEO of Pernod Ricard UK, says the changes will make the group “a real contender with Diageo.”
Allied Domecq bought Montana Wines in 2001, which now adds the UK’s number one New Zealand wine to Pernod’s portfolio.  db February 2006