E-Malt.com News article: 2953

China: Belgian brewing force, Interbrew, announced on 14 July 2004 the closing of its acquisition of Zhejiang Shiliang Brewery Company Ltd.. Interbrew pays USD 53.2 million cash for a 70% stake of this Chinese brewery, located in the Yangtze Delta. This transaction strengthens Interbrew's number one position in the Zhejiang province, where the company now has a market share of close to 50%. Along with Interbrew's other existing investments in China, this transaction positions the groups as the second largest brewer in China with 30 m hectolitres of capacity produced by 18 breweries present in 6 major provinces: Zheijang, Guangdong, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu and Shandong.

Interbrew is a publicly traded company (INTB - Euronext) based in Belgium. The company's origins date back to 1366, and today it is one of the leading global brewers. Interbrew's strategy is to strengthen its local platforms by building significant positions in the world's major beer markets through organic growth, world-class efficiency, targeted acquisitions, and by putting its consumers first. Interbrew has a portfolio of more than 200 brands, including Beck's®, Stella Artois®, Leffe®, Hoegaarden®, Staropramen® and Bass®. It employs nearly 50,000 people, and runs operations in 21 countries across the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific. In 2003, the company realized a net turnover of more than 7 billion euro.

Recently, Interbrew and Companhia de Bebidas das Américas (AmBev), the world's fifth-largest brewer, agreed to establish InterbrewAmBev, the world's premier brewer, with a global market share of 14%. This combination will have an unparalleled global platform, capturing the number one or number two position in twenty key beer markets-more than any other brewer. InterbrewAmBev will focus its activities on Beck's®, Brahma® and Stella Artois®, its three global flagship brands. The closing of the InterbrewAmBev combination has yet to occur.


16 July, 2004