United Wineries, a Spain-based independent organization distributing wine brands across the globe, has switched its business focus from UK to emerging economies of China, Russia and the US.
With wine sales crossing over 40 million bottles per year, the company plans to further expand its presence in international markets especially in the US and Latin America, where it has already partnered with a local operator.
Similarly, United Wineries has signed a new distribution agreement with a Russian distributor for expanding its business in Russia and China, reported Harpers.
To support its switch, the company is moving its current managing director Andres Perez de Herrasti to the group's parent company Corporacion Financiera Arco (CFA), where he will work on strategy and business development.
Herrasti will be replaced by Richard Macadam, who will lead the United Wineries businesses in Spain, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden and the UK.
Macadam told the website that business remains challenging in the UK and other mature markets but there are reasons to be optimistic about the future.
"Total exports of Spanish wine grew 13.5% in value in the first quarter of 2012 and United Wineries with its network of fully owned subsidiaries and well-known brands sits in a very strong position. The company will continue to focus mainly in Rioja which is doing well with sustained growth of 4% year on year to August 2012," Macadam added.
