Local spirits distributors merge to increase market share

Alcoholic beverage distributors Agis, Miro, Bis and Astor have created Alkohol Holding, a holding company merging the four domestic companies in a bid to up their position on the local spirits market. In 1999, together they sold 4.12 million liters of alcohol, making them the leading distributor in Poland. "Figures for 2000 are not yet known, but we anticipate having sold 5 million liters. Our market share should be between five and seven percent and this would allow us to maintain our dominant position," said Alkohol Holding board chairman Andrzej Strot. According to Strot, the holding doesn't exclude the possibility of obtaining an investor active in spirits distribution, but refused to give any further details. "I don't rule out out the possibility of Alkohol Holding going public in 2002 on the WSE," said Strot. The holding will need more capital to expand its sales network throughout the country. (Puls Biznesu, p.4)