Associated Alcohols & Breweries Limited (AABL) has received approval from the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), Kochi Bench, to acquire SDF Industries Limited for ₹30.85 crore. According to reports from The Hindu BusinessLine, the order was passed on April 16, 2026, and was announced on Wednesday. Upon completion of the acquisition, SDF Industries will become a wholly owned subsidiary of AABL. The company targets operations at the facility to commence by September 2026, following planned technology upgrades.
SDF Industries operates an IMFL bottling capacity of approximately 3.60 lakh cases per annum and holds an ENA distillery licence with a capacity of 75 lakh litres per annum. As reported by The Hindu BusinessLine, the facility sits on about 10 acres on the Thrissur-Palakkad border, a location AABL described as strategically central for distribution across Kerala. The acquisition is intended to bring bottling in-house, replacing existing third-party arrangements for brands including Lemount White Brandy, Lemount Black Rum, Jamaican Magic Rum, and Mood Maker Brandy. The facility's proximity to major airports including Kochi, Coimbatore, and Calicut, along with access to Coimbatore's industrial hub for packaging materials, provides strategic operational advantages.
AABL entered Kerala in 2018 and currently ranks among the top three private players in the state, recording sales of around 1.5 lakh cases per month. According to The Hindu BusinessLine, Managing Director Prasann Kedia stated that the move would enhance operational control, support new product launches, and open opportunities for overseas exports. The company plans to shift several brands currently bottled through third-party arrangements to in-house bottling at the Kerala facility, including Lemount White Brandy, Lemount Black Rum, Jamaican Magic Rum, Mood Maker Brandy, and Mood Maker Orange Vodka. AABL, established in 1989 and headquartered in Indore, is present across the full alco-bev value chain and currently operates in ten states.
Managing Director Prasann Kedia highlighted the success of the company's White Brandy, described as the world's first of its kind, which has gained strong acceptance in Kerala and nearby states. As reported by The Hindu BusinessLine, he emphasized that the acquisition will enhance operational control and efficiency while supporting the launch of new product offerings in Kerala, nearby states, and overseas exports. The company expects operating leverage benefits to support improved margins and long-term value creation as it continues its journey toward becoming a pan-India player. AABL's brand portfolio includes Nicobar Gin, Hillfort Whisky, Titanium Vodka, and James Mc Gill, focusing on premiumization through its Prestige & Above portfolio while expanding its pan-India footprint.
On the NSE, AABL shares traded at ₹917.60 on Wednesday, up 0.40 per cent from the previous close of ₹913.95, with a market capitalisation of approximately ₹1,839 crore. As reported by The Hindu BusinessLine, the stock has gained nearly 26 per cent over the past month but remains down about 29.5 per cent over the past year, against a 52-week high of ₹1,340.90.
