Janson Expands Backed by Tufton Capital

Following a first investment two years ago in Janson Investissement, a French group that provides services to the wine industry, Tufton Capital this summer provided an undisclosed further sum to finance Janson’s acquisition of two wine bottling companies in the Rhone Valley.

Bordeaux-based Janson, founded in 1990, has interests encompassing wine bottling, labelling and warehousing, as well as the manufacture of closures and corks. It has carved out a strong market position in several major wine-producing areas through both organic growth and acquisition.

SAI and SFVR, Janson’s two most recent purchases, will increase the group’s turnover by some FFr 45 million. Janson forecasts sales of more than FFr 150 million (ecu 23 million) in the current year; this compares with annual revenues of less than FFr 50 million at the time of Tufton’s initial investment.

Janson’s ambition is to become the dominant independent service provider to the wine industry. The company plans to raise further funds before the year end, possibly via an IPO, to finance increased capacity within its existing operations and support additional acquisitions.