Behn Group acquires Danzka Vodka from Belvédère

GERMANY. Behn Group, the family-owned German business behind Dooley`s Original Toffee Liqueur and Kleiner Feigling, has acquired Danzka Vodka from French company Belvédère.

The acquisition of the brand, which it claims is the fourth biggest premium vodka in the global duty free and travel retail business, is the largest in the company’s 121-year history.

One member of the Danzka team, duty free veteran Torben Vedel Andersen, will join Behn Group effective 1 May 2013 to continue the growth of the brand as Global Sales Director. The purchase itself was concluded on 1 April.

Founded in Denmark in the 1989, the brand had previously been under the ownership of Danske Spritfabrikker and Vin&Sprit before being acquired by Belvédère.

Rudiger Behn, Managing Director of Behn’s liquor division Waldemar Behn Company, said: “Danzka’s long journey has now come to an end. Danzka is going to be one of our main assets – even in the next, the fifth generation in our company.

“Danzka ensures our independence in the liquor industry and will boost our international business, especially in duty free, heavily. And, finally, with Danzka we are invested now in one of the largest and fastest growing spirit categories.”

Danza Vodka is currently available in over 50 markets with a strong focus on volumes in the international duty free and travel retail business. A total of 2.6 million bottles were sold last year.

Newly appointed Global Sales Director Torben Vedel Andersen and Behn Managing Director Rüdiger Behn
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