Stock Spirits Group, a UK-based spirits manufacturer and owner of premier drinks brands, has purchased Slovakia-based spirits producer Imperator for an undisclosed amount.

Stock, which already has strong business in Slovakia from its Tullamore Dew whiskey, Vodka Amundsen, Vodka 1906 and herbal bitters like Fernet Stock, Fernet Stock Citrus and Fernet Stock Z-Generation, will further expand its portfolio with the addition of fruit distillates and borovicka spirits that were established by Imperator 15 years ago.

CEO Chris Heath said the purchase of Imperator allows the company to climb to number two position in the overall Slovak spirits business.

"We are very pleased to have acquired Imperator as we continue to expand our brand portfolio in Central and Eastern Europe. We are confident that the combination of our existing brands in Stock Slovakia together with the Imperator brands will give us both the scale and coverage to help grow in the market in the future," Heath said.

"We are also excited by the new opportunities that this will create to develop our business, the acquisition being firmly in line with our aim of being the leading spirits company regionally."

The UK-based company also reported the acquisition of Novel Ferm, an ethanol manufacturing business located near Rostock in North Eastern Germany.

The purchase of Novel Ferm will help Stock supply primary raw material for the production of its brands at its Poland and Czech Republic facilities.