Keep the anti-monopoly watchdogs happy

The transaction will be completed after securing the agreement of the relevant competition authorities, including approval by the European Commission.

The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Vinpol, which is one of the leading Polish alcohol producers and distributors thus hopes to round off its portfolio of brands which includes dessert wines, champagnes, sparkling and carbonated wines, brandies, and liqueurs.

Vinpol was established in 1990. In 1997 it sought a strategic partner in Henkell & Söhnlein Sektkellereien KG from Wiesbaden. In 2001 Henkell & Söhnlein Group took control of 100 percent of the shares.

The Henkell & Söhnlein Group, with its affiliated companies in France, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovenia Republic and Romania, is a leading producer of sparkling wines in Europe. In 2007 Henkell & Söhnlein increased its turnover 11 percent to EUR 569 million and sold over 220 million bottles (0.75 litre), of which 142 million were sparkling wines, followed by spirits (46 million bottles) and wines (31.6 million bottles).

The group employs 1,615 people, 527 in Germany and 1,088 outside of Germany.