United Spirits Limited (former McDowell)

History

Company was founded 1898.

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McDowell, the No.1 Spirits Company in India, forms the flagship unit of the UB Group's Spirits Division.

In the 100 years since McDowell opened its doors, its portfolio has grown to include more than 50 brands of Whisky, Gin, Vodka and Brandy, many of which are bestsellers in their categories. Today, the company sells nearly 12 million cases annually and its turnover exceeds Rs. 11 billion.

No.1 McDowell's Whisky, Diplomat Whisky, No.1 McDowell's Brandy, No.1 McDowell's Celebration XXX Rum and Old Cask Rum enjoy the distinction of being millionaire brands, with annual sales crossing 1 million cases.

According to an A&M survey, McDowell ranks among the top 12 Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) companies in India for innovative Marketing/Advertising. In addition to product and packaging innovations such as PET bottles and miniatures, the company pioneered event marketing in the spirits industry.

Today, the McDowell name is synonymous with mega events such as the McDowell Indian Derby. Over the years, the company has come to sponsor tennis, football, cricket, motorsports and other sporting events as well. It has also made inroads into the areas of fashion and entertainment. McDowell owns Mohun Bagan, a premier football team which has won the Philips cup and the KBL Federation Cup.

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McDowell's No 1 Celebration Rum, which broke the 4-million case mark to close the year [i.e. 2005] with 4.32 million cases, became the second largest selling rum in India.

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1 McDowell's Celebration Rum, the 4th largest selling rum in the world, [...] is India's leading rum with a 38 per cent market share.

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2006
United Spirits Limited, the flagship of the USD 3 billion plus, UB Gropup is created through the merger of McDowell & Limited, Herbertsons Limited, Triumph Distillers and Vintners Private Limited, Shaw Wallace Distilleries Limited and four other companies. Bouvet Ladubay, subsidiary of France-based Taittinger is acquired.

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