Spanish family-firm Zamora Company has announced that it has acquired a majority stake in Martin Miller’s Gin today.

The announcement comes just a few days after acquiring Spanish premium sangría brand Lolea. According to the premium wine and spirits producer and supplier, the investment in the English gin brand will allow it to become ‘a global player in the super premium gin market’.

“This agreement is clear proof of the vision of Zamora Company to be recognised as one of the most dynamic players in the beverages market – a producer and distributor of premium brands worldwide,” stated Emilio Restoy, CEO of Zamora Company. “Our brands are the soul of our company, and Martin Miller´s Gin perfectly reflects our vision as creators of premium brands, as innovators with a vocation to lead the market.”

As part of the agreement, Martin Miller’s Gin Co-Founders David Bromige and Andreas Versteegh, and CEO Jacob Ehrenkrona, have retained 45% of their interest through Living Capital’s shareholding, making them the ‘only other’ shareholder. Ehrenkrona and Bromige will also retain their current positions as CEO and Creative Director, respectively. Zamora’s Emilio Restoy will replace Andreas Versteegh as Chairman of the Board, however, Versteegh will continue as a board member, confirms the company.

STRONG SALES

Commenting on the new partnership, Ehrenkrona, said: ‘As well as being the fastest-growing super premium gin in the Spanish market, Martin Miller’s Gin has also seen strong growth in other key gin markets such as Central Europe and the UK.

“Sales have been particularly strong in the UK where they grew 50% in 2017, adding to a total global volume of 100,000 cases.”

Ehrenkrona said he hopes that the new partnership, will ‘considerably increase investment in brand building’ in the medium term.

“What is more, together we can break into new international markets by capitalising on the sales capacity of Zamora Company without compromising the product’s identity or its genuine spirit,” he added.

EXCITING VISION

According to Zamora Company’s Chairman, José María de Santiago, both firms share an exciting vision for the brand’s future: “We are really looking forward to working with the UK team, helping to develop the brand worldwide.

“Martin Miller’s Gin strengthens the Zamora Company portfolio, along with recent additions that include world-class brands such as Villa Massa Limoncello, Yellow Rose American craft whiskey and Sangría Premium Lolea,” he added.

The Zamora Company acquired premium sangría Lolea earlier this month. “Lolea is a brand whose positioning transcends the premium sangría category, giving a growth potential perfectly matched to the vision and capability of Zamora Company,” commented Restoy.

Launched in 2013, the craft-made sangría is based on an exclusive recipe combining fruit and high-quality wine.  In just four years, the brand has reached sales of 130,000 cases via distribution in over 60 countries and is currently the number one sangría in its domestic market.

The brand was acquired directly from Lolea’s four Spanish founders, along with two other US partners, who will continue to work with Zamora Company to preserve Lolea’s essence and ‘increase the potential of the project’.

“With this latest acquisition, Zamora Company adds to its catalogue a pioneering brand, which is the leader in its category and already showing growth, and reaches a highly desirable target market – from millennials to ABC1 consumers – looking for a quality, low alcohol product that can be enjoyed at any time of the day,” added Restoy.