NORWALK, Conn., Dec. 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- This weekend,
Diageo plc, the maker of some of the world's most iconic drinks
including Johnnie Walker scotch,
Smirnoff vodka, Tanqueray gin and Guinness stout is celebrating its
20th anniversary.
Created on 17 December 1997,
through the merger of Grand Metropolitan plc and Guinness plc,
Diageo has become a global leader in beverage alcohol, with its
products being sold in 180 countries.
Over the past 20 years Diageo's share price has increased by
340%1, market capital has grown 440%1 and
earnings per share (pre-exceptional items) are 220%2
higher.
The milestone is being celebrated around the world by the
company's 30,400 employees. From a time capsule ceremony at Cardhu
distillery in Scotland, the home
of Johnnie Walker, to employees in
Lagos, Nigeria and Sydney, Australia toasting the occasion with a
dram of Johnnie Walker Black Label.
In London, to mark the
celebration, Diageo's Chief Executive, Ivan
Menezes, along with the company's talented team of Scotch
Whisky Blenders and fellow members of the senior leadership team
opened the market at the London Stock Exchange.
Ivan Menezes, Diageo Chief
Executive said:
"I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved over the past 20
years, which is testament to the commitment of our talented
employees past and present. Diageo is a young company created
from the incredible entrepreneurial legacy of John Walker, Pierre
Smirnoff, Charles Tanqueray, Arthur Guinness and many more –
and this spirit continues today.
"Our brands are part of celebrations globally every day, as we
mark this milestone, it is not only the growth of our brands and
business that I will be toasting, but the way we do business. We
have made great strides in diversity and inclusion, minimising our
environmental impact, our contribution to the communities where we
operate and in our aim to reduce the harmful use of alcohol around
the world."
Deirdre Mahlan, President,
Diageo North America said:
"It's extraordinary to consider how Diageo has grown and matured
as a company over the past two decades, both around the globe, and
in North America. On this anniversary we raise a glass to the
company we have become and our amazing brands, including those we
produce right here in the United
States and Canada.
"I'm privileged to lead this diverse business and the more than
2500 talented people who work to make this company better, and who
bring their best selves to work every day."
1Percentages calculated comparing number from
17 December 1997 and 4 December 2017.
2EPS calculated using numbers from 30 June 1998 and 30 June
2017.
For further information
NA Media
relations:
|
Kristen
Crofoot
|
203-229-4223
|
|
kristen.crofoot@diageo.com
|
|
Key milestones
- Diageo plc is created through the merger of Grand
Metropolitan and Guinness. The company is listed on the
London and New York stock exchanges in December 1997.
- In 2001, Diageo and Pernod Ricard acquired Canadian
alcoholic beverages business Seagram's. The acquisition brought
Crown Royal Canadian whiskey and Captain Morgan rum
into the Diageo brand family.
- Our Water of Life programme was launched in 2007, to
provide safe drinking water and sanitation to people across
Africa. Since launch, the
programme has reached more than 10 million people in 21
countries.
- The Nolet Family and Diageo formed a new 50/50 company in 2008
to sell, market and distribute Ketel One vodka.
- In 2008, Diageo launched DRINKiQ, an
online resource to arm consumers with the tools needed to make
informed choices about drinking, including the decision not to
drink.
- Diageo launches the Learning for Life skills programme
in Latin America and the
Caribbean in 2008. The programme
now runs in more than 40 countries, and has reached more than
120,000 people.
- In 2011, Diageo became the first global company to own a
majority stake in the fast growing Chinese White Spirits category
through the acquisition of a controlling share of Shui Jing Fang.
- Diageo also acquired Mey Içki, the leading spirits
company in Turkey in 2011.
- Diageo acquired Meta Abo Brewery in Ethiopia and Ypióca Cachaça in
Brazil in 2012.
- In 2013, Diageo began its acquisition of United Spirits
Limited in India.
- Diageo became the first alcohol beverage company to sign up to
the UN Women's Empowerment Principles in 2013.
- Diageo gained full control of Don
Julio tequila in 2015.
- Diageo was named as one of the top 25 most diverse and
inclusive companies in the 2016 Thomson Reuters Diversity and
Inclusion index.
- In 2017, Diageo acquired the fast growing tequila
Casamigos.
- Diageo announced its investment to bring back two lost
distilleries, Port Ellen and Brora in October
2017.
- Diageo celebrated training 1 million responsible drinking
ambassadors in 2017 and launched its Drink Positive
campaign aimed at promoting moderation and tackling misuse.
About Diageo
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an
outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JεB, Buchanan's and
Windsor whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc
and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.
Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in more
than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both
the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange
(DEO). For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands,
and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo's global
responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information,
initiatives, and ways to share best practice.
Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.
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SOURCE Diageo plc