The 44% owner of Lanson International has gone public with the decision to sell its stake, according to reports published yesterday.
French bank Caisse d’Epargne announced that it would listen to offers for its share of the Champagne house – which owns two other Champagne brands – but only under certain conditions.
‘If transfer opportunities are presented, and as long as they are in line with the development plans of the company, Caisse d’Epargne, with the go-ahead from the majority shareholders, would be ready to study them,’ said the bank.
Caisse d’Epargne bought its stake in July last year for €38m (£25.7m/US$45.3m), when the Mora family, which owns the remaining 56% of Lanson International, was looking for a buyer.
Other reports put the sale down to a knock-on effect following reports of Taittinger’s possible future sale, and the transfer of the Mumm and Perrier-Jouët Champagne brands to Pernod Ricard as part of its takeover of Allied-Domecq.
Pernod Ricard sold off its Champagne brand Besserat de Bellefon to Marne & Champagne in 1990. Marne & Champagne then became Lanson International, which also includes Champagne Gauthier in its portfolio.
Written by Oliver Styles
