{{Short description|Multinational brewing and beverage company}} {{EngvarB|date=November 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2014}} {{Infobox company | name = Distell Group Limited | logo = File:Distell Group Limited Logo.png | type = Public limited company | traded_as = {{jse|DGH}} | foundation = {{Start date and age|2000|12|04|df=y}} through Merger | fate = Carved-out | successor = {{Unbulleted list|Heineken Beverages}} | location = Stellenbosch, South Africa | key_people = '''Richard Rushton''' - CEO | industry = Brewing, Beverage | products = | revenue = ZAR 17.7 Billion (2014)<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://fspinvest.co.za/articles/stocks/about-the-company-distell-group-ltd-jsedst-3186.html|title = About the company: Distell Group Ltd [JSE:DST]|date = 30 April 2014|accessdate = 2 November 2014|website = |publisher = FSP Invest|last = Brownlee|first = Julie}}</ref> The shareholding as at 31 March 2014 is shown below:<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=31 March 2014 |title=Distell Group 2014 Annual Report |url=http://www.distell.investoreports.com/sd2014/downloads/Overview.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141103222003/http://www.distell.investoreports.com/sd2014/downloads/Overview.pdf |archive-date=2014-11-03 |accessdate=3 November 2014 |website= |publisher=Distell Group Limited}}</ref> | profit = ZAR 1.5 Billion | assets = ZAR 15.9 Billion (2014) | num_employees = 5,300 (2014) | homepage = [http://www.distell.co.za/ www.distell.co.za] | founder = '''William Charles Winshaw''' <br/> SFW's Founder<br/> '''Anton Rupert''' <br/>Distillers Corp's Founder | defunct = {{End date and age|2023|04|26}} | predecessor = Stellenbosch Farmers' Winery <br/> Distillers Corporation }} '''Distell Group Limited''', commonly referred to as Distell, was a multinational brewing and beverage company, based in South Africa. On April 26, 2023, Distell was acquired by Heineken.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theheinekencompany.com/newsroom/heineken-successfully-completes-acquisition-of-distell-and-namibia-breweries-to-create-heineken-beverages/|title=HEINEKEN successfully completes acquisition of Distell and Namibia Breweries to create HEINEKEN Beverages|work=Heineken N.V.|access-date=2023-07-24|language=en-US}}</ref> After that, its operations were integrated into Heineken Beverages, a company created by the merger of its South African unit, Distell, and the African brewery acquired by the Dutch multinational Namibia Breweries.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.heinekenbeverages.co.za/Company-Profile|title=Our Profile|work=Heineken Beverages|access-date=2023-07-24|language=en-US}}</ref>
==Overview== Distell Group Limited is a producer and marketer of spirits, fine wines, ciders and ready-to-drinks. The group's headquarters are in Stellenbosch, South Africa.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.distell.co.za/version%202/contactus.aspx|title = Distell Contacts|date = |accessdate = 2 November 2014|website = |publisher = Distell Group Limited|last = |first = }}</ref>
As at February 2014, Distell had 5,300 employees worldwide and an annual turnover of ZAR 17.7 Billion.
==History== Distell Group Limited traces its roots to two major alcoholic beverage companies in South Africa, Stellenbosch Farmers' Winery (SFW) and Distillers Corporation, that merged on 4 December 2000.<ref name=":0" />
=== Merger === ==== Stellenbosch Farmers' Winery ==== Stellenbosch Farmers Winery Group (SFW) the founder member of Distell Group was formed in 1925 by William Charles Winshaw, an American medical doctor.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url = https://www.distell.co.za/runtime/popcontentrun.aspx?pageidref=2577|title = Distell History|date = |accessdate = 3 November 2014|website = |publisher = Distell Group Limited|last = |first = }}</ref> As at the year 2000, SFW produced and distributed wine and spirits as well as non-alcoholic beverages through retail outlets South Africa and across the world.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.bloomberg.com/profiles/companies/SFW:SJ-stellenbosch-farmers-winery-group-ltd|title = Stellenbosch Farmers Winery Group Ltd|date = |accessdate = 3 November 2014|website = |publisher = Bloomberg LLP|last = |first = }}</ref>
In 1956 Stellenbosch Farmers Winery Ltd was listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://showme.co.za/stellenbosch/tourism/history-of-stellenbosch/|title = Modern day History Timeline of Stellenbosch|date = |accessdate = 3 November 2014|website = |publisher = ShowMe™|last = |first = }}</ref>
==== Distillers Corporation ==== Distillers Corporation was formed in 1945 by Anton Rupert. Distillers expanded energetically and very quickly set up marketing relationships and partnerships in the wine and spirits industry. The company became a major producer, focusing on distillates and in particular on the brandy market that it developed from relative obscurity to its current level of prominence. It is renowned for its Bergkelder concept, a marketing innovation that invited wine estates to make use of Distillers' bottling, sales and marketing. In addition, it created Amarula Cream, which is one of the top-selling cream liqueurs in the world.<ref name=":1" />
Distillers Corporation was also listed on the JSE.
==== Merger transaction ==== On 20 September 2000, Distillers' Corporation and Stellenbosch Farmers Winery directors announced the merger of the two firms. The merger was made possible because both firms had a similar shareholding structure i.e.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=13 March 2003 |title=Case No: 08/LM/Feb02 - Merger between Distillers Corporation (SA) Limited and Stellenbosch Farmers Winery Group Ltd |url=http://www.comptrib.co.za/assets/Uploads/Case-Documents/08LMFEb02.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141103154648/http://www.comptrib.co.za/assets/Uploads/Case-Documents/08LMFEb02.pdf |archive-date=2014-11-03 |accessdate=3 November 2011 |website= |publisher=Competition Tribunal, Republic of South Africa}}</ref> * Remgro-KWV Investments – 60% of Distillers' Corporation and a similar stake in SFW. * Other Beverages Industries (Pty) Ltd – 30% of Distillers' Corporation and a similar stake in SFW. Other Beverage Interests Proprietary Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of SABMiller. * Public via The JSE – 10% This structure allowed the merger not to have any diluting effect on the lead shareholders' effective interest in the merged entity.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.remgro.com/financials/annual_report2001/ar2001.pdf|title = Remgro Group 2001 Annual Report|date = 31 March 2001|accessdate = 3 November 2014|website = |publisher = Remgro Group|last = |first = }}</ref>
On 4 December 2000, the management announced the conclusion of the merger. The newly formed entity was known as '''Distell '''from the names of the two constituent companies.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.just-drinks.com/news/distillers-corporation-stellenbosch-farmers-winery-distell_id78854.aspx|title = SOUTH AFRICA: Distillers' Corporation + Stellenbosch Farmers Winery = Distell|date = 5 December 2000|accessdate = 3 November 2014|website = just-drinks.com|publisher = Aroq Limited|last = Kirkby|first = Arnold|archive-date = 3 November 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141103142641/http://www.just-drinks.com/news/distillers-corporation-stellenbosch-farmers-winery-distell_id78854.aspx|url-status = dead}}</ref>
Distell Group's shares began trading on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange on 19 March 2001 under the symbol '''DST'''.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url = http://wynboer.co.za/articles/jse-listing-for-distell-2|title = JSE listing for Distell|date = 1 May 2011|accessdate = 2 November 2014|publisher = WineLand|last = Cassie du Plessis|first = Henry Hopkins|url-status = dead|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20141102135807/http://wynboer.co.za/articles/jse-listing-for-distell-2|archivedate = 2 November 2014|df = dmy-all}}</ref>
===Post merger=== In April 2013 Distell bought Scotch whisky company '''Burn Stewart Distillers''' from CL Financial for £160m.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-22151857 BBC News]</ref>
Following its acquisition of SABMiller,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/sabmiller-ab-inbev-shareholders-approve-100-billion-plus-merger-1475059015|title=SABMiller, AB InBev Shareholders Approve $100 Billion-Plus Merger|last=Mickle|first=Tripp|date=2016-09-28|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|issn=0099-9660|access-date=2016-09-29}}</ref> Anheuser-Busch InBev announced that it would sell its 26.4% acquired state in Distell Group to Public Investment Corporation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-12-15/ab-inbev-to-sell-stake-in-distell-to-south-african-fund-pic|title=AB InBev to Sell Stake in Distell to South African Fund PIC|last1=Bonorchis|first1=Renee|last2=Loni|first2=Prinsloo|date=15 December 2016|website=Bloomberg Businessweek|publisher=Bloomberg L.P.|access-date=22 December 2016}}</ref>
=== Announced acquisition === On 15 November 2021, Heineken announced a plan to buy Distell Group, in order to become the market-leading alcoholic beverage supplier in South Africa. The takeovers would be the first major deal for Heineken’s CEO and chairman of the executive board Dolf van den Brink, who took charge at Heineken in June 2020.<ref>Philip Blenkinsop and Promit Mukherjee, [https://www.reuters.com/business/heineken-buy-safricas-distell-26-bln-deal-2021-11-15/ Heineken to buy South Africa's Distell and Namibian Breweries] at: Reuters</ref> The acquisition was completed in 2023<ref>{{cite web | url=https://thedrinksbusiness.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=20678dfddf2855ef6ee337776&id=5c2eab0db1&e=a5ad015e08 | title=Heineken completes Distell and Namibia Breweries acquisition | date=27 April 2023 }}</ref>
==Ownership== The stock of Distell Group Limited is listed on the JSE, where it trades under the symbol: '''DST'''. {{As of|2015|June}} shareholding in the group's stock is as depicted in the table below:<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=30 June 2015 |title=Distell Group 2015 Annual Report |url=http://www.distell.investoreports.com/ar2015/downloads/Distell%20IAR%202015%20web1.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305144045/http://www.distell.investoreports.com/ar2015/downloads/Distell%20IAR%202015%20web1.pdf |archive-date=2016-03-05 |accessdate=13 January 2016 |website= |publisher=Distell Group Limited}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto" |+ '''Distell Group Limited Stock Ownership''' |- ! style="width:2em;" |Rank !!Name of Owner!!Percentage Ownership |- |1|| Remgro-Capevin Investments Proprietary Limited || 53.00 |- |2|| Other Beverage Interests Proprietary Limited || 26.50 |- |3|| Others via the JSE || 20.50 |- | ||'''Total'''||'''100.00''' |}
* Remgro-Capevin Investments Proprietary Limited is a joint venture between '''Remgro Limited''' and '''Capevin Holdings'''. Each company has a 50% stake in the joint venture.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.capevin.com/sites/default/files/Capevin_AR_2014.pdf|title = Capevin Holdings Limited 2014 Annual Report|date = 30 June 2014|accessdate = 3 November 2014|website = |publisher = Capevin Holdings Limited|last = |first = |archive-date = 3 November 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141103164648/http://www.capevin.com/sites/default/files/Capevin_AR_2014.pdf|url-status = dead}}</ref> * Capevin Holdings is a JSE listed firm whose sole investment as at 30 June 2014 was an effective interest of 26.5% in the issued share capital of Distell Group Limited, held via its 50% interest in Remgro-Capevin Investments Proprietary Limited. * Remgro Limited holds 15.6% shareholding in Capevin Holdings. That gives Remgro Limited 30.65% indirect control in Distell Group Limited.
== Brands == Distell's major brands include:<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.distell.co.za/Runtime/POPContentRun.aspx?PageIDRef=3360|title = Distell Group Brands|date = |accessdate = 2 November 2014|website = |publisher = Distell Group Limited|last = |first = }}</ref>
===Spirit portfolio=== {{columns-list|colwidth=15em| * Klipdrift Export * Richelieu * Viceroy * Mellow-Wood * Oude Meester VSOB * Commando * Richelieu XO * Underberg * Amarula * Nachtmusik * Oude Meester Peppermint & Ginger Liqueurs * Flight of the Fish Eagle * Klipdrift Premium * Van Ryn’s 10, 12, 15 and 20 year old collection * Oude Meester Reserve * Klipdrift Gold * Nederburg Potstill Solera Brandy * Collison's White Gold * Richelieu 10 * Bain's Cape Mountain Whisky * Black Bottle blended Scotch whisky * Bunnahabhain Islay single malt Scotch whisky * Deanston single malt Scotch whisky * Harrier * Knights * Ledaig single malt Scotch whisky * Scottish Leader * Three Ships * Tobermory single malt Scotch whisky * Mainstay * Seven Seas * Amarula Gold }}
===Wine portfolio=== {{columns-list|colwidth=15em| * Nederburg * 4th Street * 5th Avenue * Cellar Cask * Chateau Libertas * Drostdy-Hof * Graça * Grand Mousseux * Grunberger * JC Le Roux * Obikwa * Peche Royale * Two Oceans * Alaska * Brandyale * Castle Brand * Clubman * Copperband * Delgado Supremo * Mokador * Vincoco * Zorba * Autumn Harvest Crackling * Capenheimer * Kellerprinz * Oom Tas * Overmeer * Paarle Perle * Ship Sherry * Sedgwicks Old Brown * Tassenberg * Taverna Rouge * Witzenberg Stein * Allesverloren * Durbanville Hills * Flat Roof Manor * Fleur du Cap * Hill & Dale * Jacobsdal * Lomond * Monis * Neethlingshof * Place in the Sun * Plaisir de Merle * Pongracz * RED ESCape * Theuniskraal * Tukulu * Uitkyk * Zonnebloem }}
===Cider and ready to drink=== {{columns-list|colwidth=15em| * Hunters Dry * Hunter Gold * Savanna Dry * Savanna Light * Savanna Angry Lemon * Savanna Alc Free * Bernini * Esprit * Hunters Extreme * Klipdrift & Cola * Hunters Edge * 4th Street }}
== See also == {{Portal|South Africa|Liquor|Wine}} * William Charles Winshaw * Stellenbosch Farmers' Winery v Distillers Corporation * South African wine * List of wineries in South Africa * JSE Limited * SABMiller
==References== {{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
== External links == * [http://www.distell.co.za/ Distell Group Limited] {{Heineken International}} Category:Heineken subsidiaries Category:Multinational breweries Category:South African brands Category:Drink companies of South Africa Category:South African winemakers Category:Food and drink companies established in 2000 Category:Companies based in Stellenbosch Category:Companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange Category:South African companies established in 2000 Category:2023 mergers and acquisitions