Kattus and BORCO Now Together in Austria with Joint Venture
Under the name “Kattus-Borco Vertrieb,” the two long-standing companies from Vienna and Hamburg will be joining forces beginning in April for the distribution of renowned local and international sparkling wine and spirit brands in Austria.

Vienna, February 4, 2019 – Beginning on April 1, 2019, long-standing Vienna-based company Kattus and the Hamburg-based spirits company BORCO will unite their distribution operations as part of a joint venture for the Austrian market. With a team consisting of 17 members and around 40 million euros in consolidated revenue, the result is one of the strongest distribution organizations in the sector with brands like Kattus, Sierra Tequila, Corona Extra, Stroh, The Dalmore, and Laurent-Perrier.

Kattus and BORCO bring together more than just the strongest presence on the market. Both companies can look back on a long tradition of their own production and distribution – together they have over 230 years of experience and market presence. Beginning on April 1, 2019, the companies will join forces in Austria. The two family-owned and -operated companies benefit from experienced experts in critical management positions: Andreas Ruhland, head of Kattus Vertriebs GmbH, and Jens de Buhr, director of distribution and head of Borco Austria. At KATTUS-BORCO Vertrieb, Jens de Buhr will manage the entire sales force and Andreas Ruhland will be in charge of the finance, marketing, administration, and logistics departments.

“For more than 160 years, Kattus has consistently focused not only on sparkling wine production, but also on the distribution of select spirits and beverages. Over 30 – and rising – renowned Austrian and international brands from the segments of sparkling wine, beer, liqueur, and spirits place their trust in our many years of distribution expertise. With a powerful and experienced partner like BORCO, Kattus-Borco Vertrieb will become one of the largest distributors in the industry in Austria,” notes Dr. Ernst Polsterer-Kattus with regard to the joint distribution venture.

“As an independent family company and one of the most important European liquor companies, BORCO successfully produces, distributes, and markets premium brands both nationally as well as internationally. In doing so, the personal connection to our partners, the utmost in quality, and consistent brand expansion are of particular importance to us and form the core of our work. We have our fingers on the pulse of the times with our impressive portfolio that we hope to continue growing in Germany, Austria, and around the globe. The joint venture with KATTUS is an important milestone in accomplishing this objective. With the many years of experience and expertise of Andreas Ruhland and Jens de Buhr, twelve employees in the field, a five-person marketing team, and consolidated revenue of forty million euros, we are in a great position in Austria to make significant strides in terms of distribution for the future,” adds Dr. Tina Ingwersen-Matthiesen, shareholder, member of the board and of the owner family of Borco-Marken-Import.

The focus of Kattus-Borco Vertrieb is its own brands Kattus and Sierra Tequila, BORCO’s own brand, and well-known names like Corona Extra, Stroh Inländer rum, Amaro Montenegro, Russian Standard vodka, Blue Gin, The Dalmore, Laurent-Perrier, Molinari, and Vecchia Romagna.

“With our combined strength, we will be able to achieve a great deal more for our own brands and agency brands. At the same time, thanks to the newly created structure, we are very well equipped for new potential brands,” explains Andreas Ruhland, who will head the joint venture along with Jens de Buhr. “The KATTUS-BORCO Vertrieb joint venture will offer significant added value for all parties involved,” says Jens de Buhr with conviction.

Image caption:

Kattus-Borco-Vertrieb_09.jpg: When the agreement was signed by Maria Polsterer-Kattus and Dr. Tina Ingwersen-Matthiesen, shareholder, member of the board and of the owner family of BORCO, the heads of two family companies begin a new chapter in the Austrian beverage industry.

Kattus-Borco-Vertrieb_04.jpg (from left to right): Sophie Kattus, Brand Manager Kattus Vertriebs GmbH, Markus Kohrs-Lichte, General Manager Sales BORCO, Maria Polsterer-Kattus and Johannes Kattus, Dr. Tina Ingwersen-Matthiesen, shareholder, member of the board and of the owner family of BORCO, Dr. Ernst Polsterer-Kattus and Andreas Ruhland.

For further information, please feel free to contact:

Kattus Press Relations c/o Grayling Austria

Azra Ibrahimovic | Lisa Liegl | Günter Schiester

Phone: +43-1-524-430-022
E-mail: azra.ibrahimovic@grayling.com | lisa.liegl@grayling.com | guenter.schiester@grayling.com

BORCO-MARKEN-IMPORT Matthiesen GmbH & Co.KG
Winsbergring 12–22, 22525 Hamburg, Germany
Phone: +49-40-853-160
Fax: +49-40-858-500
E-mail: infoline@borco.com
www.borco.com