V&S Group, the Swedish-based international spirits and wine company, has completed its acquisition of the majority stake in Cruzan International, Inc. V&S thus holds 63.6 per cent of the company’s shares.

Cruzan International, Inc. owns and produces Cruzan Rum, the fastest growing brand in the rapidly increasing rum segment. V&S Group has for some years been the exclusive distributor of Cruzan Rum in Northern Europe, Canada and in Global Duty Free.

Cruzan Rum is produced on St Croix in the US Virgin Islands since 1760. It is available in both light and dark varieties and also in a wide range of flavoured rums.

- We are very proud to be the majority owner of this growth brand, says Bengt Baron, Chief Executive Officer of V&S Group. It fits very well into our portfolio of international premium spirits brands and we see great opportunities to further develop Cruzan Rum in the US as well as other markets. Rum is a growing segment and the international potential of the Cruzan brand is tremendous.

Cruzan International, Inc. is listed on the AMEX stock exchange.

For further information, please contact

Peeter Luksep, Director Corporate Affairs, V&S Group,
+46 70 723 4128

Margareta Nyström, Senior Vice President Communications, V&S Group,
+46 70 698 7198