BEAM GLOBAL PRONOUNCES “NATURAL INTEREST” IN ABSOLUT

We will take a closer look at Beam Global’s first quarter conference call tomorrow, where chief Norm Wesley reportedly said that the company has a “natural interest” in Absolut. Norm pointed out that Beam Global and V&S’s Maxxium j-v has “benefited both partners, and our close relationship has helped further build our respective brands.”

"We've said for a long time that we're interested in enhancing our spirits business if attractive opportunities were available, so we will obviously take a close look at the opportunity,” continued Norm.

Wine and spirits revenue comparisons were lower due to certain one-time factors, underlying sales were up low-single digits and operating income grew at a mid-single-digit rate. In the marketplace, strong global consumer demand for Beam’s premium and super-premium spirits and wine brands drove mid-single-digit growth in distributor case volume shipments, led by double-digit growth for Sauza, Courvoisier and Teacher’s.