Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Acquisitions and Divestitures

v3.19.1
Acquisitions and Divestitures
12 Months Ended
Feb. 28, 2019
Business Combinations [Abstract]  
ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES
ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES:

Acquisitions –
Obregon Brewery:
In December 2016, we acquired a brewery operation business in Obregon, Sonora, Mexico from Grupo Modelo, S. de R.L. de C.V., formerly known as Grupo Modelo, S.A.B. de C.V., (“Modelo”), a subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV for cash paid of $569.7 million, net of cash acquired (the “Obregon Brewery”). The transaction primarily included the acquisition of operations; goodwill; property, plant and equipment; and inventories. This acquisition provided us with immediate functioning brewery capacity to support our fast-growing, high-end Mexican beer portfolio and flexibility for future innovation initiatives. It also enabled us to become fully independent from an interim supply agreement with Modelo, which was terminated at the time of this acquisition. The results of operations of the Obregon Brewery are reported in the Beer segment and have been included in our consolidated results of operations from the date of acquisition.

Charles Smith:
In October 2016, we acquired the Charles Smith Wines, LLC business, a collection of five super and ultra-premium wine brands, for $120.8 million (“Charles Smith”). This transaction primarily included the acquisition of goodwill, trademarks, inventories and certain grape supply contracts, plus an earn-out over three years based on the performance of the brands. The results of operations of Charles Smith are reported in the Wine and Spirits segment and have been included in our consolidated results of operations from the date of acquisition.

High West:
In October 2016, we acquired all of the issued and outstanding common and preferred membership interests of High West Holdings, LLC for $136.6 million, net of cash acquired (“High West”). This transaction primarily included the acquisition of operations, goodwill, trademarks, inventories and property, plant and equipment. This acquisition included a portfolio of craft whiskeys and other select spirits. The results of operations of High West are reported in the Wine and Spirits segment and have been included in our consolidated results of operations from the date of acquisition.

Prisoner:
In April 2016, we acquired The Prisoner Wine Company business, including a portfolio of five super-luxury wine brands, for $284.9 million (“Prisoner”). This transaction primarily included the acquisition of goodwill, inventories, trademarks and certain grape supply contracts. The results of operations of Prisoner are reported in the Wine and Spirits segment and have been included in our consolidated results of operations from the date of acquisition.

Other Acquisitions:
During the year ended February 28, 2019, we completed the acquisitions of other businesses, including the Four Corners Brewing Company LLC business, which included a portfolio of high-quality, dynamic and bicultural, Texas-based craft beers (“Four Corners”), and a business in Italy, which provided additional processing and sourcing capabilities for our Italian wine portfolio. The purchase price for the Four Corners acquisition was primarily allocated to goodwill, property, plant and equipment, and trademarks, plus an earn-out over five years based on the performance of the brands. The purchase price for the acquired business in Italy was primarily allocated to a production facility, vineyards and inventory. The results of operations of these acquired businesses are reported in the respective segment and have been included in our consolidated results of operations from their respective date of acquisition.

During the year ended February 28, 2018, we completed the acquisitions of other businesses, including the Funky Buddha Brewery LLC business, which included a portfolio of high-quality, Florida-based craft beers (“Funky Buddha”), and the Schrader Cellars, LLC business, which included a collection of highly-rated, limited-production fine wines (“Schrader Cellars”). The total combined purchase price for these acquisitions was $149.8 million. The purchase price for each acquisition was primarily allocated to goodwill and trademarks. In addition, the purchase price for Funky Buddha includes an earn-out over five years based on the performance of the brands. The results of operations of these acquired businesses are reported in the respective segment and have been included in our consolidated results of operations from their respective date of acquisition.

Divestitures –
Sale of Accolade Wine Investment:
In May 2018, we completed the sale of our remaining interest in our previously-owned Australian and European business (the “Accolade Wine Investment”) for A$149.1 million, or $113.6 million, subject to closing adjustments. We received cash proceeds, net of direct costs to sell, of $110.2 million and a note receivable of $3.4 million. This interest consisted of an investment accounted for under the cost method and AFS debt securities. For the year ended February 28, 2019, we recognized a net gain of $99.8 million in connection with this transaction. This net gain is included in income from unconsolidated investments.

Canadian Divestiture:
In December 2016, we sold the Wine and Spirits Canadian wine business, which included Canadian wine brands such as Jackson-Triggs and Inniskillin, wineries, vineyards, offices, facilities and Wine Rack retail stores, at a transaction value of C$1.03 billion, or $775.1 million (the “Canadian Divestiture”). We received cash proceeds of $570.3 million, net of outstanding debt and direct costs to sell of $194.9 million and $9.9 million, respectively. The following table summarizes the net gain recognized in connection with this divestiture:
(in millions)
 
Cash received from buyer
$
580.2

Net assets sold
(175.3
)
AOCI reclassification adjustments, primarily foreign currency translation
(122.5
)
Direct costs to sell
(9.9
)
Other
(10.1
)
Gain on sale of business
$
262.4


Additionally, our Wine and Spirits U.S. business recognized an impairment of $8.4 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 for trademarks associated with certain U.S. brands sold exclusively through the Canadian wine business for which we expected future sales of these brands to be minimal subsequent to the Canadian Divestiture. We have also recognized $15.2 million of other costs associated with the Canadian Divestiture, with $12.0 million recognized for the year ended February 28, 2017, primarily in connection with the evaluation of the merits of executing an initial public offering for a portion of our then-owned Canadian wine business, and $3.2 million recognized for the first quarter of fiscal 2018 in connection with the sale of the Canadian wine business. These amounts are included in selling, general and administrative expenses. In total, we have recognized $238.8 million of net gains associated with the Canadian Divestiture, with $242.0 million of net gains recognized for the year ended February 28, 2017, and $3.2 million of net losses recognized for the year ended February 28, 2018, as follows:
(in millions)
 
Gain on sale of business
$
262.4

Impairment of trademarks
(8.4
)
Other net costs
(15.2
)
Net gain associated with the Canadian Divestiture and related activities
$
238.8