Monday, October 17, 2016

Teacher’s buying big wine maker

Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan is buying Constellation Brand’s Canadian wine business for $1.03 billion, a price that delights the Grape Growers of Ontario marketing board.

“It sends a very positive signal that the Canadian wine industry is ready and well-positioned for expansion,” said chief executive officer Debbie Zimmerman.

According to the Wall Street Journal, many potential foreign and domestic bidders were interested in participating in Constellation’s auction process.

“The fact the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan is a well-financed, domestic, long-term investor with industry experience and no competing business interests leaves us hopeful that their plan for profit growth will come from expansion rather than international or domestic consolidation,” Zimmerman added.

Board chairman Matthias Oppenlaeunder said “there is no doubt that the sale of a business that so dominates the Canadian wine market is likely to have significant impacts on the industry as a whole.”

“While we are cautiously optimistic this is a growth opportunity, we will be watching and listening carefully,” Oppenlaender said.


“We look forward to learning about the new owner’s business plans and to working constructively with them to build on the continued success of Ontario’s grape and wine industry.”