J. Wray & Nephew Ltd. Appoints New US Importer Kobrand Corporation Kobrand Corporation to Market and Sell the Company’s Premium Jamaica Rums
KINGSTON, JAMAICA, March 17, 2008 – J. Wray & Nephew Limited today announced that they have appointed Kobrand Corporation as the importer for the Company’s range of premium Jamaican rums in the United States.
Under the new sales and marketing agreement, which will take effect on May 1, 2008, Kobrand Corporation will market and sell J. Wray & Nephew’s portfolio of premium Jamaican Rum Brands including the flagship Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum brand as well as the Appleton Jamaica Rum, Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum and Coruba Jamaica Rum brands in the United States.
According to William McConnell, Managing Director of Lascelles deMercado & Co. Limited., the parent company of J. Wray & Nephew Limited, the Kobrand Corporation is an excellent fit for the Jamaican Rum Company.
“In looking for a new importer agent to represent our range of premium rums in the United States, we sought to identify a Company that would be the perfect fit for our Company and our brands. Kobrand has an excellent track record of developing and positioning luxury offerings through their recognized wine portfolio and have raised the bar for luxury products through their strategy of education and “close to the customer” approach. With the launch of their spirits division, our range of premium Jamaican rums fits perfectly into their portfolio. We are certainly looking forward to working together to build our premium rum brands in the United States.”
The J. Wray & Nephew Limited portfolio will reside within the newly created Spirits Division of Kobrand Wines and Spirits which is headed by Tom Congdon. Congdon noted that the Company was delighted to add J. Wray & Nephew Ltd’s premium rum brands to Kobrand’s spirit portfolio. “It is indeed a pleasure to begin representation of Jamaica’s leading producer and marketer of premium rums. Their beautifully balanced portfolio of meticulously crafted rums perfectly complements other deluxe brands in the Kobrand Spirit portfolio.”