| Thu 8 May 2008, 8:00 | | SAB - SABMiller Plc Announces Entry Into The Ukrai |
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SAB
SOSAB
SAB - SABMiller Plc Announces Entry Into The Ukraine
SABMiller Plc
JSE ALPHA CODE : SAB
ISSUER CODE : SOSAB
ISIN CODE : GB0004835483
8 May 2008
SABMiller plc announces entry into the Ukraine
SABMiller plc ("SABMiller") announces that it has agreed to acquire a
99.84% interest in the Ukrainian brewer CJSC Sarmat ("Sarmat"). The
transaction is subject to approval by the Ukrainian competition authorities
and other customary pre-closing conditions.
Sarmat is one of the largest brewers in the Ukraine and, on completion,
will operate one brewery in Donetsk in the east of the country with an
annual production capacity of 2.9 million hectolitres, producing the
Sarmat, Dnipro and Drive Max brands. The purchase price is not being
disclosed, however the value of the gross assets to be acquired is
approximately US$130 million.
This acquisition represents SABMiller`s entry into one of the fastest
growing beer markets globally with a four year growth rate to 2006 of 14%1
p.a. The Ukraine`s medium term forecast for beer market growth is expected
to be higher than any other major Central and Eastern European ("CEE")
market.
Alan Clark, Managing Director of SABMiller Europe, said: "We are delighted
to announce the acquisition of Sarmat and our entry into the fast growing
and attractive Ukrainian market. The Ukrainian beer market has recorded
exceptional expansion in recent years, driven by strong economic growth,
but it still remains behind other CEE countries in terms of per capita beer
consumption."
Sarmat is owned by System Capital Management Ltd a diversified holding
company that manages a number of interests in the Ukrainian market.
About SABMiller plc
SABMiller plc is one of the world`s largest brewers with brewing interests
or distribution agreements in over 60 countries across six continents. The
group`s brands include premium international beers such as Grolsch, Miller
Genuine Draft, Peroni Nastro Azzurro and Pilsner Urquell, as well as an
exceptional range of market leading local brands. Outside the USA,
SABMiller plc is also one of the largest bottlers of Coca-Cola products in
the world.
In the year ended 31 March 2007, the group reported US$3,154 million
adjusted pre-tax profit and revenue of US$18,620 million. SABMiller plc is
listed on the London and Johannesburg stock exchanges.
This announcement is available on the company website: www.sabmiller.com
High resolution images are available for the media to view and download
free of charge from www.sabmiller.com or www.newscast.co.uk
_______________________________
Enquiries:
SABMiller plc Tel: +44 20 7659 0100
Sue Clark Director of Corporate Tel: +44 20 7659 0184
Affairs
Gary Leibowitz Senior Vice President, Tel: +44 20 7659 0174
Investor Relations
Jonathan Oates Business Media Relations Tel: +44 20 7659 0144
Manager
This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell or issue or the
solicitation of an offer to buy or acquire securities of SABMiller plc (the
"Company") or any of its affiliates in any jurisdiction or an inducement to
enter into investment activity.
This document includes "forward-looking statements". These statements may
contain the words "anticipate", "believe", "intend", "estimate", "expect"
and words of similar meaning. All statements other than statements of
historical facts included in this announcement, including, without
limitation, those regarding the Company`s financial position, business
strategy, plans and objectives of management for future operations
(including development plans and objectives relating to the Company`s
products and services) are forward-looking statements. These forward-
looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other
important factors that could cause the actual results, performance or
achievements of the Company to be materially different from future results,
performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking
statements. These forward-looking statements are based on numerous
assumptions regarding the Company`s present and future business strategies
and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future. These
forward-looking statements speak only as at the date of this announcement.
The Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to
disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements
contained in this announcement to reflect any change in the Company`s
expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or
circumstances on which any such statement is based. Any information
contained in this announcement on the price at which the Company`s
securities have been bought or sold in the past, or on the yield on such
securities, should not be relied upon as a guide to future performance.
Date: 08/05/2008 08:00:25 Produced by the JSE SENS Department.
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