Pernod Ricard USA history

Once such imitator, Paul Ricard, introduced his own aniseed aperitif in 1932.

However, trouble came in 1940 when the production of pastis was banned in France.

Son of Paul Ricard, the founder of the Ricard brand, Patrick Ricard was born on 12 May 1945.in his lifetime he dedicated over 34 years to the transformation of a family business into a leader of the wine and spirits industry.

1951: Pernod launches its first pastis.

Ricard's publicity stunts paid off handsomely, and by the time of his retirement in 1968 his 15 percent stake in the company was worth $104 million.

Pernod Ricard was formed in 1974 through the merger of the Pernod and Ricard companies, two of France's largest suppliers and distributors of aniseed beverages.

Pernod Ricard was founded in 1975 and is headquartered in Paris, France.“

In 1976, Pernod Ricard purchased Cusenier of Argentina, which made liqueurs from the extracted essences of plants, fruits, and grains.

Son of Paul Ricard, the founder of the Ricard brand, Patrick Ricard was born on 12 May 1945.in his lifetime he dedicated over 34 years to the transformation of a family business into a leader of the wine and spirits industry. It was in 1978 that Patrick Ricard took the reins of the Pernod Ricard GroupThe new Chairman and CEO had an ambition: conquer Europe and then the world.

By 1979, it was clear that Pernod Ricard had to continue to look outside of France to maintain its sales growth.

During 1980, Pernod Ricard spent $48 million on a marketing campaign in England, Spain, and Germany.

Pernod Ricard ventured into the fruit preparation business in 1982 with the purchase of a 66 percent interest in SIAS-MPA, the world's leading producer of fruit preparations for dairy products.

1983: Orangina fruit drinks is acquired.

In order to increase liquor sales, the company arranged an agreement in 1985 with Heublein, an American alcoholic beverage company, which would give Pernod Ricard access to Japanese and Brazilian markets and better exposure in the United States.

In 1986 Pernod Ricard Japan was created, signalling the company’s first venture into Asia.

In February 1987, Pernod Ricard began negotiating the purchase of yet another European group, Cooymans.

Further strengthening the company's non-alcoholic beverage arm was its acquisition of Yoo Hoo Industries and that company's perennially popular chocolate drink in 1988.

In 1989, however, the success of Orangina came to haunt the company when Pernod Ricard lost its France concession of Coca-Cola, as that company geared up its Minute Maid division, resulting in a cut in the company's total revenues of some 20 percent.

1990 saw the company purchase Australian company Orlando Wyndham Group, the company that produces Jacob’s Creek wine.

By 1994, the company was forced to close down some of its French operations, including its Marseilles plant, the first home of Ricard.

1995: Non-alcohol drinks account for half of the company's sales.

Pernod Ricard remained consistently profitable, posting nearly FRF 1.2 billion in net income in 1996, after a light drop in net income the previous year.

1997 Acquisition of Larios (gin, cognac and wines) in Spain.

1998: Creation of the Pernod Ricard Corporate Foundation dedicated to the promotion of French Contemporary art and delivering the Prix Ricard

In 1999, the group obtained international distribution rights to Wyborowa ("exquisite") brand rye vodka by buying a majority share of the Polish food business Agros.

2002 A partnership with Sogrape is established for the distribution of Sandeman (port), and a new partnership agreement is established with Kirin for the distribution of Four Roses (bourbon).

At the time of the company's 30th anniversary in 2004, Pernod Ricard had become the world's third-largest producer of wines and spirits.

2007: Became the first global wine and spirits group to introduce the pregnancy warning label to all products throughout Europe

2009: Pernod Ricard decides to make "créateurs de convivialité" its new corporate signature

Pernod Ricard Nigeria was established in 2010 to cater to the Nigerian Marketing.

2011: Launch of Responsib’ALL Day, Pernod Ricard’s annual social engagement volunteer event involving the Group’s entire workforce.

Hoping to strengthen their presence in the wine world, Pernod Ricard purchased Kenwood, a premium wine company in California, in 2014.

His son, Alexandre Ricard became CEO of the company in 2015.

In 2016, Pernod Ricard purchased a majority stake in premium German gin brand, Monkey 47.

2017: Acquisition of majority stake in high-end bourbon producer Smooth Ambler and in Del Maguey Single Village, the #1 mezcal in the United States.

2018: Launch of Transform & Accelerate, Pernod Ricard’s strategic plan - Nomination of Pernod Ricard as a member company of Global Compact Lead - Adhesion to the New Plastics Economy led by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation

In May 2020, Pernod Ricard announced a partnership with the United Nations’ EducateAll platform.