Rémy Cointreau: Entering exclusive negotiations to form Passoã joint venture with Lucas Bols N.V.

Regulatory News:

Rémy Cointreau and Lucas Bols N.V. today announce that they have entered into exclusive negotiations with a view to forming a joint venture, based in France, to operate and further develop the global activities of the Passoã brand, the passion fruit liqueur.

Under the proposed joint venture, Rémy Cointreau would contribute all Passoã operations, including trademarks and inventory, while Lucas Bols N.V. would contribute both its know-how and expertise in the liqueur and cocktail business, as well as working capital. Lucas Bols N.V. would assume operational and financial control of the joint venture.

This project forms part of Rémy Cointreau’s strategy to accelerate the move upmarket of its brand portfolio, whereas for Lucas Bols N.V., Passoã would expand its global brands segment, adding a complementary, world famous name.

In the event of a favourable outcome to the negotiations, the joint venture agreement would only be concluded after consultation with the relevant Rémy Cointreau employee representative bodies. The transaction is expected to close before the end of 2016.

About Rémy Cointreau:

The Rémy Cointreau Group is a leading operator in the global Wine & Spirits market with sales of €1,050.7 million for the year ended 31 March 2016 and approximately 1,800 employees. Rémy Cointreau, whose origins in the Charente region date back to 1724, is the result of the merger in 1990 of the holding companies of the Hériard Dubreuil and Cointreau families, which controlled E. Rémy Martin & Cie SA and Cointreau & Cie SA respectively. It owns a portfolio of global, upmarket brands, including the Rémy Martin and Louis XIII cognacs, the Cointreau and Passoã liqueurs as well as the Metaxa, Mount Gay, St-Rémy, Bruichladdich and The Botanist spirits. Rémy Cointreau is listed on NYSE Euronext Paris.

About Lucas Bols N.V.:

Lucas Bols N.V. is the world’s oldest distilled spirits brand and one of the oldest Dutch companies still in business. Building on its more than 440 year-old heritage dating back to 1575, the company has mastered the art of distilling, mixing and blending liqueurs, genever, gin and vodka. Lucas Bols owns a portfolio of more than 20 premium and super premium brands of different spirits used in cocktail bars worldwide. Its products are sold in more than 110 countries around the world. Lucas Bols holds the number one position in liqueur ranges worldwide (outside the USA) and is the world’s largest player in the genever segment. Lucas Bols has been listed on Euronext Amsterdam (BOLS) since 4 February 2015.

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