INVER HOUSE BOUGHT BY PACIFIC SPIRITS

Published: 23 July, 2008

Inver House Distillers has been bought by Pacific Spirits, part of the British Virgin Islands-based Great Oriole Group - a company with interests in spirits and beer, mainly in the Far East. Bill Robison, Blairmhor Group chairman, and non-executive director Angus Graham, plan to retire from the company, but Bob Boyle will remain until December 2002. Graham Stevenson will continue as managing director and Graeme Thomson will become executive chairman of the management board. Robison said: It has become increasingly evident that if we are to move the company further ahead, we need to be part of a larger unit which has greater resources at its disposal. This deal offers these benefits, while also presenting our management team and workforce with new opportunities. It allows the original shareholders to make their exit,' he added, but all the staff [will] benefit as a result of the employee share ownership plan.' Ooi Boon Aun, Pacific Spirits' (UK) chief executive, said: We have long recognised the need for a presence in the Scotch whisky industry as we develop our global interests. While we intend that Inver House will retain its independence and autonomy, we are also looking forward to benefiting from the skills and experience which the workforce will bring to our group.'

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