Suntory Holdings Ltd, the majority shareholder of Louis Royer SAS, has announced a change in the managerial structure of the Jarnac-based Cognac house.
Tsutomu Ogata, Managing Director of Suntory France SAS, is appointed as President of Louis Royer SAS, effective immediately. Megumi Kato continues as Vice President.
Jean-Pierre Dematteo is appointed as Managing Director and continues to act as Sales & Marketing Director of the company. As Sales & Marketing Director of Louis Royer SAS since 1989, he is credited for driving the Louis Royer brand to its current status.
Aymar de Baillenx continues as CEO of Grands Millesimes de France (a wine company in which Suntory is a shareholder) and its subsidiaries.
Announcing his retirement after 30 years of service, Amaury de Maisonneuve hands over to Valerie Roy as Financial Director.
Other members of the management team remain unchanged: Jerome Royer, Purchasing Director; Laurent Robin, Technical Director and Master Blender; Pascal Ribes, Quality Director; and Dominique Ravet, Commercial Director of the Louis Saveur subsidiary.
Commenting on his new role, Tsutomu Ogata said: “I feel very honoured to become President of Louis Royer SAS. I am delighted to announce the appointment of Jean-Pierre Dematteo as Managing Director. For both of us, the ambition is to make Louis Royer more sales and brand marketing-led than ever.
“I am extremely confident that, under Jean-Pierre Dematteo’s leadership, Louis Royer SAS will play a growing role in the Suntory organisation and on the global Cognac scene. I wish Jean-Pierre Dematteo and all the Louis Royer teams the best of success in their march towards a brilliant future.
“I also would like to take this opportunity to extend warm thanks to Aymar de Baillenx and all those who, among our business partners at Louis Royer SAS and at Suntory Ltd, have contributed over the past 24 years to make Louis Royer the successful company it is today.”
On 23 March 1989, Suntory Holdings Ltd became majority shareholder of the Jarnac-based Louis Royer Cognac house. The Suntory range includes Hibiki and Yamazaki Japanese whiskies, Bowmore Scotch malt whisky, Midori melon liqueur and Chateau Lagrange.
