It may have lost the race for Beringer or even decided not to enter, but with a profit near $60 million in the year 2000, BRL Hardy is still sniffing around the US wine industry for something big to buy. Managing Director Stephen Millar expects the Fosters-Beringer deal to accelerate industry globalisation and wants BRL to be involved in the US, the one market in the world where it is not the number one or number two Australian supplier. Looking for an acquisition, merger, or strategic alliance, Millar wants to take BRL from 7-8% of the market in the US for Australian wine closer to 20%. Its purchase of Nobilo in New Zealand has increased BRL Hardy’s gearing to 81%.
