Allied Domecq acquires Kümmerling

The British spirits and wine group Allied Domecq PLC announced on September 4 that it has acquired Kümmerling GmbH for DM398m (Euro20.35m) in cash on a debt free basis. Kümmerling is a family owned business based in Bodenheim, and is Germany's fourth-largest spirits brand and the second-largest brand in the bitters category. Kümmerling sold some 680,000 cases in the year to December 31, 2000. Allied Domecq​ expects to achieve immediate operational synergies as the business is merged with its existing German operations. Philip Bowman, Allied Domecq's chief executive, said: "The acquisition of Kümmerling represents a significant addition to our existing operations in Germany, Europe's largest spirits market, where Allied Domecq will now rank as the fourth largest spirits company."​ The bitters category accounts for approximately 10.5 per cent of the German spirits market in volume and approximately 14.5 per cent in value. The category has continued to grow, despite a recent decline in the total spirits market. Bitters are traditionally made from aromatised alcohol with sugar and herbal extracts.