JOIN USUB Group is world's largest in liquor
But the one he has planned for next week in Bangalore’s Palace Ground will perhaps be the biggest he has ever hosted and is for a very special occasion: Mallya’s liquor company United Spirits Ltd (USL) has become world’s largest spirits company by volume in the year 2010-11.
USL has sold over 113 million cases (9 litres to a case) or 4.1 billion bottles of spirits in 2010-11 and sources in USL claim that in the process it has surpassed the sales figure of world’s largest liquor company Diageo plc, maker of the world’s famous brands like Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, J&B, Baileys, etc. But, in terms of value of sales Diageo was much larger with a net sales of 9780 million pounds or Rs 70,416 crore in the calendar year 2010 against USL’s net sales of Rs 4,929 crore in 2009-10.
Gala convention
Surely, being the world’s number one in volume, also calls for a big celebration. In high spirits, Mallya has invited nearly 4,000 guests from all over the country –friends and trade partners.
Though unassumingly branded as ‘Global Convention’, the dinner party promises lots of fun, food and drinks with live performances by Bollywood stars like Salman Khan, Malaika Arora Khan and singer Sonu Nigam among others.
“Twenty-seven years after fate thrust me into the driving seat, it gives me great pleasure to invite you to celebrate some monumental achievements by our beverage alcohol business,” Mallya wrote in a personally-signed invitation letter.
“At the time of my takeover, the sales volume of United Spirits was just under three million cases. Today, we are proud to celebrate sales of over 113 million cases or 4.1 billion bottles of fine spirits,” the liquor baron said.
With 21 brands in the ‘million-case’ club and selling principally in the Indian market, we have outpaced our global competitors, the letter said.
Mallya’s beer brands led by ‘Kingfisher’ have achieved more than 50 per cent share of the Indian beer market. “This is, perhaps, the most important event in my professional life and I invite you to join me to celebrate,” signed off Mallya.