JF Hillebrand strengthens European network through Bulgarian acquisition

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) July 23, 2010 -- JF Hillebrand, the world’s leading logistics supplier to the wines and spirits industry, has strengthened its global network by acquiring Bulgarian beverage logistics specialist Bora Shipping Ltd.

The two companies have already worked in partnership for a number of years and the acquisition underpins JF Hillebrand’s position in the expanding Eastern European wine market.

Bulgarian wine’s share of the UK market has been in decline for a number of years, due to intense competition especially from New World wines, but the country produces both very high quality and good value wines to meet a variety of tastes. Anticipated funding for the industry, following Bulgaria’s recent European Union membership, will help the industry market its wines for export and this has encouraged JF Hillebrand to further invest for the future.

This latest investment will strengthen JF Hillebrand’s position not only in Bulgaria, but also in the Romanian and Serbian import and export markets, where Bora Shipping is already well established.

“We are delighted to welcome Bora Shipping to the JF Hillebrand Group,” says Bernd Jordan, JF Hillebrand’s Area Manager for Northern Europe. “Eastern Europe is an emerging wine market with huge potential for growth and development. The combination of Bora Shipping’s local expertise, alongside JF Hillebrand’s global network, means we are now perfectly positioned to serve the needs of this market.”

Boris Christov, Manager of Bora Shipping with over 40 years experience in freight forwarding, will manage JF Hillebrand’s activities in Bulgaria, Romania and Serbia. Bora Shipping is headquartered in Sofia, Bulgaria and was founded in 1998.

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NOTES TO EDITORS:

About JF Hillebrand: With a global network headquartered in Mainz, Germany, JF Hillebrand employs 1500 people in 45 offices around the world. The company reported a throughput of over 268,000 containers in 2009 - equating to over 1.4 billion cases of wine.

Since 1844, it has dedicated itself to the efficient and cost-effective logistics of wines, spirits and beers. As well as offering first class logistics services, it also leads the way in the development of innovative products, services and IT tools to the global beverage industry.

JF Hillebrand was voted “Best Logistics Company” in the 2010 Drinks Business Awards.

For further information please go to www.jfhillebrand.com

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