Stock, Vin & Sprit join forces for Polmos Bialystok bid

The Czech Republic's largest spirits producer, Stock Plzen, said yesterday that it had joined forces with Swedish state-owned drinks maker Vin & Sprit to launch a joint bid in the tender for vodka producer Polmos Bialystok. Stock, controlled by Germany's Eckes, said it viewed the acquisition of the distillery as a way of opening up the Polish market. "The Czech market is saturated. We have to look at new markets," Stock spokesman Jiri Janousek told Reuters. Referring to the problems of exporting to Poland, he went on, "Direct exports have been blocked by excessive tariff barriers, so we are seeking to acquire a producer there." The media reported last month that the government was in talks with four investors interested in buying an 80% stake in Polmos Bialystok, which controls a quarter of the domestic market. (Reuters)