Suntory denies Whyte & Mackay takeover
Suntory has confirmed it has “no plans to acquire Whyte & Mackay”, following rumours circulated by an Indian news channel yesterday.
Suntory has denied reports it has offered to buy Whyte & MackayThe Japanese firm, which last week announced intentions to buy US drinks firm Beam for US$16bn, was reported to be interested in acquiring the Whyte & Mackay business from United Spirits.
According to CNBC TV18, an unnamed source confirmed Suntory had made a bid of less than US$1bn for Whyte & Mackay, whose brands include Jura and The Dalmore Scotch whiskies.
However, a Suntory spokesperson has told The Spirits Business that it has no intention to buy the group.
“We have never negotiated on the acquisition of Whyte and Mackay,” said Hasumi Ozawa of Suntory’s PR department.
Diageo, which bought Whyte & Mackay during its acquisition of United Spirits last year, has offered to sell the business to appease competition concerns from the British Office of Fair Trading (OFT).
