Acquisition and PlacingUpdate

Blavod Black Vodka PLC 23 December 2003 NOT FOR RELEASE IN THE UNITED STATES 23 December 2003: For immediate release Blavod Black Vodka Acquisition Agreed and Placing and Open Offer raises £10 million EGM to be held on 15 January Blavod Black Vodka plc ('Blavod' or the 'Company'), the AIM-listed drinks group, announces that it has conditionally agreed to acquire the business, assets and liabilities of Extreme Beverage Company, LLC ('Extreme') for an initial consideration of £2.4 million (based on an issue price of 24.5p per share), to be satisfied by the issue of 9,851,000 new shares. Up to 12,312,000 additional consideration shares will be issued to Extreme over a five year period upon the price of the shares attaining certain thresholds. In addition, the Company announces that it is raising £10.0 million (before expenses) for the enlarged group by means of a placing of 40,816,327 new shares at 24.5p per share, subject to an open offer of 8,209,058 new shares to qualifying shareholders. These shares are being offered on the basis of 5 open offer shares for every 9 existing shares. The placing and open offer have been underwritten by Evolution Beeson Gregory Limited. The proposed acquisition is classified as 'reverse takeover' under the AIM Rules by virtue of its size. As such, the acquisition, as well as the placing and open offer, will be subject to the approval of shareholders which is to be sought at an extraordinary general meeting to be held on 15 January 2004. Both the proposed acquisition and the proposed placing and open offer were originally announced on 8 December 2003. Subject to shareholder approval, the placing and open offer will raise approximately £10.0 million (before expenses). This compares to the £8 million originally anticipated and reflects the high level of demand from investors. These funds will be used to strengthen the balance sheet of the enlarged group and to fund the costs associated with sales and marketing, capital expenditure and trade mark protection, as well as funding debt repayment of approximately US$1 million and general working capital requirements. The existing Blavod shares were suspended from trading on AIM on 17 September 2003, but such suspension is expected to cease today on publication of the AIM admission document in respect of this transaction. Application has been made for the new initial consideration shares to be issued pursuant to the acquisition and the new shares to be issued pursuant to the placing and open offer to be admitted to AIM and the existing Blavod shares to be re-admitted to AIM, which it is expected will become effective on 20 January 2004. Copies of the AIM admission document are available at the registered office of the Company (202 Fulham Road, London SW10 9PJ) and at the offices of Evolution Beeson Gregory Limited (9th Floor, 100 Wood Street, London EC2V 7AN). The enlarged company will change its name to Blavod Extreme Spirits plc. As previously announced, its board will comprise the following: Allan Shiach, Non-Executive Chairman - the current Non-Executive Chairman of Blavod, who was previously chairman of Macallan-Glenlivet Plc from 1979 until 1996, helping to establish a highly successful international brand of single malt whisky, and currently a director of SMG plc. Jeffrey Hopmayer, Chief Executive - the founder of Extreme two years ago, who was previously (for over 10 years) President and CEO of Original American Scones, the then leading bakery/distribution supplier to Starbucks Coffee Company Worldwide, and which he successfully exited in 1998. Richard Ambler, Managing Director: International - the current Chief Executive of Blavod, who previously held senior management positions with IDV, Cinzano International (part of Diageo) and Mentzendorff & Co. Fred Read, Finance Director - the current CFO of Extreme, who previously held senior financial positions at HCA Information Services, Inc., the information services division of the US's largest healthcare company, and at Private Business Inc, a company providing services and software to the financial services industry. William Philips, Non-Executive Finance Director: International - the current Non-Executive Finance Director of Blavod, who was previously managing director of Macallan-Glenlivet Plc and later, Janneau SA (a leading producer of armagnac). Lawrence Banks, Non-Executive Director - a current Non-Executive Director of Blavod, who was previously Deputy Chairman and Chairman of the Corporate Finance department of Robert Fleming Holdings Limited. David Falk, Non-Executive Director - the founder of SFX Basketball group, who has represented many of the NBA's top players, including Michael Jordan and Patrick Ewing, and also a founding partner in New Urban Entertainment (NUE), which produces and markets entertainment drawn from the 'urban experience'. Robert Levin, Non-Executive Director - most recently President, Worldwide Theatrical Marketing and Distribution of MGM Studios, Inc, and the former President of Worldwide marketing for both Sony Pictures Entertainment and Walt Disney Studios. As part of the arrangements for this transaction, Andrew Napier and David Wheatley, who will not be directors of the enlarged company, yesterday resigned as directors of Blavod. The Board wishes to thank them both for their valuable contribution. Allan Shiach, Chairman, said: 'We are delighted with the investor response to our fundraising proposals. With our portfolio of fast-growing brands and international distribution capability we have a real opportunity to capture a valuable share of a global market.' Jeffrey Hopmayer, proposed Chief Executive of the enlarged company, said: 'We are seeking to create a portfolio of international spirits brands and I am very excited by our prospects given our new funding.' For further information: Craig Breheny, Katya Reynier, Laura Cummings Brunswick 020 7404 5959 Notes to editors Blavod Blavod launched its eponymous black vodka in 1998 and has an established UK sales network with distribution in several major retail outlets, including Asda, Sainsbury's and Tesco. Its international distribution network has expanded with success in the worldwide duty free and other key markets including the Russian Federation. Extreme Founded in 2001, Extreme, based near Nashville, Tennessee, is the owner of Players Extreme, a fast growing spirits brand. Extreme owns the Players Extreme Vodka, Players Extreme Flavoured Vodkas, Players Extreme Rum, Players Extreme Flavoured Rums and Players Extreme Gin brands. www.extremebeverage.com Expected timetable of principal events Record date for the Open Offer 16 December 2003 Latest time and date for receipt of Proxy Forms 12.00 noon on 13 January 2004 Latest time and date for splitting Application Forms (to 3.00 p.m. on 14 January 2004 satisfy bona fide market claims only) Extraordinary General Meeting 12.00 noon on 15 January 2004 Latest time and date for receipt of completed Application 3.00 p.m. on 16 January 2004 Forms and payment in full in respect of the Open Offer Dealings to commence in the new shares on AIM 8.00 a.m. on 20 January 2004 Acquisition expected to be completed 20 January 2004 Delivery in CREST of new shares to be held in uncertificated 8.00 a.m. on 20 January 2004 form Despatch of definitive share certificates in respect of new by 27 January 2004 shares to be held in certificated form This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell any securities in the United States. The issue of the ordinary shares in connection with the acquisition and the offer and sale of ordinary shares in the placing and open offer have not been, and will not be, registered under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 'Securities Act'), and such ordinary shares may not be offered, sold or delivered to, nor may the open offer be accepted by, any US Person (as such term is defined under Regulation S under the Securities Act). This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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