Jameson sales set to double 34pt Gill Sans over 3 cols

PERNOD Ricard believe sales of Jameson Irish whiskey will double to three million cases in the short term and plan to take on Sminoff-Ice in the ready-to-go drinks market with a new product - Jameson Chill.

Pernod Ricard invested more that €100 million increasing the production capacity of its subsidiary Irish Distillers to facilitate the growth in sales of Jameson from 1.5 million cases to three million cases.

Mr Burrows said the extended sales footprint of the organisation in North and South America, Africa and Asia as a result of the acquisition the Seagram brands will open doors for Jameson and Bushmill's whiskies.

"We are launching Jameson Chill in Australia in the ready-to-go drinks sector to coincide with their summer season and barbeques. Its a light drink with the distinct taste of Jameson," he said.

Mr Burrows said the mixer component of the new Jameson Chill product is a secret.

Yesterday, Pernod Ricard, who employ 750 people in Ireland, announced six month consolidated sales, excluding duties and tax, of €2.6 billion, up 18% from first-half 2001. Group operating profit rose 63% to 296 million, while consolidated net profit was up 47%, at 154 million. In the light of these results, the board maintained its full-year projections.

Sales of Pernod Ricard's brands continue to grow at a fast pace, with rises of 15% for Jacob's Creek, 11% for Havana Club, 10% for Amaro Ramazzotti, and 5% for Jameson.

"In addition to unlocking synergies between the historical brands and Seagram brands, the acquisition has restored an even geographical balance in sales and profits, to the benefit of the Americas and Rest of the World (in particular Asia). During the first half, the operating profit of the Spirits and Wine division outside Europe increased nearly eightfold," Pernod said in a statement accompanying the results.

In less than two years, the company completed the planned disposal of non-core businesses, generating about €1.3 billion. As a result, by June 2002 it was able to fully repay the 1-billion bridging loan taken out to finance the Seagram acquisition.

Commenting on the first-half results, Pernod Ricard Chairman Patrick Ricard said: "The integration of the Seagram brands has already proved successful." and is consistent with our ambitious objectives for the development of the Group and growth in shareholder value,"