A company executive said yesterday that the latest expansion would immediately help increase revenue and profit. A further benefit of international diversification is making the company resilient to any external disruptions in one particular country.

The company is becoming more of a “global company” rather than a “regional company”, the executive said.

Tivoli’s brand is reputable in Portuguese-speaking countries and boasts a rich history of more than 80 years. The acquisition enables inbound and outbound cross-selling between new markets in Europe and Latin America and the company’s existing regions of Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

It also helps the company cope with the high growth potential from the recovery of the European economy and the long-term growth potential of Brazil, which has the largest economy in South America.

The established hotel assets and business platform in Portugal and Brazil are in the key gateways of Lisbon and Sao Paolo, and the key leisure destinations of Algarve and Salvador.

After becoming part of Minor International, the 14 Tivoli hotels and strength of the team will thrive under the fast-expanding tourism industry and Portugal’s economic recovery, the executive said.

The business already witnessed double-digit revenue growth last year. A refurbishment programme has been initiated for this year to realise the full potential of some properties, including the flagship Tivoli Lisboa hotel.

Also, the Tivoli brand will be extended further in Portugal, southern Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Lisbon will be developed as the key hub for the European operating cluster.

There are more business opportunities in Europe and Latin America.

In Portugal, the company will acquire more hotels, develop hotels and high-end residences, and seek partnerships with existing hotel and land owners through management and/or variable-lease agreements.

Minor International has laid out a five-year strategy comprising the three high-level plans – drive a profitable portfolio of owned brands with additional contribution from selected international brands, maximise asset value and productivity to enhance margins and returns, and continue to look for mergers and acquisitions and strategic investment opportunities.

The strategy is set to help achieve the group’s five-year goal of delivering net-profit growth of at least 15-20 per cent per year and at least 15-per-cent return on invested capital.

Dillip Rajakarier, chief operating officer of Minor International and chief executive of Minor Hotel Group, said the Tivoli brand brought with it a rich heritage, deeply experienced team and highly loyal customer base.

“Looking forward, we have already planned further investment in Tivoli’s hotel assets and its operating and distribution infrastructure to realise the full potential of this strategic investment,” he said.

The company’s opening schedule for this year has the flagship Avani Bangkok in April, Anantara Kalutara in Sri Lanka, another Anantara in China, two Anantaras in Oman and one in Morocco.

It also includes the Torres Rani project in Maputo, Mozambique, comprising residential and office towers. The sale of The Residences by Anantara Layan Phuket, which was launched last year, is gaining momentum.

The Tivoli deal for 294.2 million euros (about Bt11 billion) not only marks the company’s strategic entry into Europe and Latin America, but also provides the group with a strong operating platform to drive further growth in those markets.

Tivoli’s portfolio includes resorts on Portugal’s Algarve.

Tivoli is the latest in a series of international investments by the group over the last two years totalling US$550 million, or more than Bt19 billion. The hotel projects are in Southern and East Africa, Asia, Australia, South America and Europe.

With the addition of Tivoli, Minor International’s hotel portfolio now encompasses 145 properties in 22 countries.

Rugen Fisch, based in northeastern Germany, currently generating annual revenues in excess of 140 million euros (Bt5.45 billion), is that country’s shelf-stable seafood leader.

The company supplies ambient and chilled fish products, including herring, mackerel and salmon, across Germany to all leading retailers under its own key brands, namely RugenFisch, Hawesta, OstseeFisch and Lysell, along with a significant private label manufacturing business.

The transaction has satisfied all regulatory requirements and customary closing conditions, including clearance by the competition authorities in Germany and the European Union.

Rugen Fisch’s headquarters will remain in Germany.

With the completion of the acquisition, Thai Union Group said it welcomed the addition of a new member with more than 850 employees from four state-of-the-art processing facilities in Germany and Lithuania.

“Today we achieved another important milestone for Thai Union. We are ready to delight and win consumers with our premium, nutritious and sustainable seafood products in the German market,” said Thiraphong Chansiri, president and chief executive of TU.

Andrew Bergmann, CEO of Rugen Fisch, said: “I am delighted about the completion of this acquisition.

“The integration will enable us to pursue our growth strategy and strengthen our foundation across Germany by increasing our ability to deliver superior value to our customers, consumers, employees and relevant stakeholders.”

Bergmann will remain CEO of the German company.

Rugen Fisch is a well-known seafood player that has expanded successfully at home and abroad. The company owns modern fish-processing plants in Europe, with primary facilities in Germany and Lithuania.

The company has decades of experience in fish processing. Its products are under stringent quality control to ensure that customers’ requirements are always met to the highest degree, TU said.

Thai Union is regarded as the world’s largest producer of shelf-stable tuna products, with annual sales exceeding Bt120 billion and a global workforce of more than 46,000 people.

The company’s global brand portfolio includes Thai leading brands Sealect, Fisho and Bellotta, as well as market-leading international brands such as Chicken of the Sea, John West, Petit Navire, Parmentier, Mareblu, King Oscar, Century, and Rugen Fisch.

TU said in a statement that the transaction was approved by the competition authorities in Germany and the EU.

It added that after the acquisition, Rugen Fisch’s headquarters will remain in Germany.

“Today we achieved another important milestone for Thai Union. We are ready to delight and win consumers with our premium, nutritious and sustainable seafood products in the German market,” said Thiraphong Chansiri, president and chief executive officer, Thai Union Group.

The German company supplies ambient and chilled fish products, including herring, mackerel and salmon, across Germany to all leading retailers under its own key brands, namely Rügen Fisch, Hawesta, Ostsee Fisch and Lysell, along with a significant private label manufacturing business.

It employs over 850 employees at four processing facilities in Germany and Lithuania.

“I am delighted about the completion of this acquisition,” said Andrew Bergmann, chief executive officer of Rugen Fisch. “The integration will enable us to pursue our growth strategy and strengthen our foundation across Germany by increasing our ability to deliver superior value to our customers, consumers, employees and relevant stakeholders.”

Bergmann will retain his title after the shareholding change.