Tilaknagar Industries has signalled the next phase of its growth strategy following the completion of the acquisition of the Imperial Blue whisky from Pernod Ricard.
The transaction, which was initially announced in July, has been valued at INR3.44bn (US$385m) plus a deferred EUR28m (US$24.5m) payment, which will be due in four years. Under the agreement, Tilaknagar gains the Imperial Blue brand and trademarks, including Imperial Black and Imperial Red, alongside a defined-term licence to use the Seagram’s name.
In outlining the company’s roadmap, Tilaknagar’s MD, Amit Dahanukar, described the acquisition as transformational. “This deal significantly scales up our business and marks a decisive step in our ambition to build a truly pan-India presence,” Dahanukar said. He added that the purchase “accelerates our premiumisation journey” by broadening Tilaknagar’s presence in prestige-and-above price tiers.
The group will also rely on a long-term supply arrangement with Pernod Ricard’s Chivas Brothers division for the “raw material for manufacturing Imperial Blue products”.
Around 116 employees will also transfer from Pernod Ricard India to Tilaknagar.
In October, Tilaknagar prepared the roll-out of two brandy iterations into its domestic travel retail channel.
