| Thu 15 May 2008, 7:47 | | SAB - SABMiller Plc - SABMiller acquires US import |
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SAB - SABMiller Plc - SABMiller acquires US importation rights for Grolsch
SABMiller Plc
JSEALPHA CODE: SAB
ISSUER CODE: SOSAB
ISIN CODE: GB0004835483
14 May 2008
SABMiller acquires US importation rights for Grolsch
SABMiller plc announces that it has reached agreement in principle
with Anheuser-Busch to transfer the US importation rights for the Grolsch
brand to SABMiller`s subsidiary, Miller Brewing Company. The transfer is
subject to the negotiation of definitive legal agreements which the parties
expect to be finalised in the next few weeks. The financial terms of the
transfer are not being disclosed.
Anheuser-Busch acquired the US distribution rights to the Grolsch brand
in February 2006, prior to SABMiller`s subsequent acquisition of the Dutch
brewer Royal Grolsch N.V. which was completed in February 2008. In 2007,
Grolsch imports into the US grew to approximately 215,000 hectolitres*.
Tom Long, Miller Brewing Co. President and CEO, commented:
"We are delighted to have acquired the US rights to Grolsch, which is a
terrific brand steeped in nearly 400 years of heritage. With Peroni Nastro
Azzurro, Pilsner Urquell and now Grolsch, we will offer some of the best and
most prestigious European beers to our customers and consumers."
The agreement will allow Grolsch access to Miller Brewing Company`s network
of around 450 distributors, who will have the opportunity to add the iconic
Dutch brand to their businesses. Imported beers have grown at nearly 10% p.a.
for the last three years and now make up 15% of the US beer market*.
In addition to Grolsch Premium Lager, the deal also incorporates the entire
Grolsch brand line-up, including Grolsch Amber Ale, Grolsch Light Lager and
Grolsch Blonde Lager.
Grolsch`s provenance, unique taste profile and existing premium positioning
will play a highly complementary role in Miller`s brand portfolio, which has
the scale and reach to grow the Grolsch brand across the US.
SABMiller also announces that with effect from Monday 12 May 2008, its
Australian joint venture, Pacific Beverages (Pty) Limited, began the sale
and distribution of the Grolsch brand in Australia, thereby adding another
significant premium beer brand to Pacific Beverages` growing premium beer
portfolio in Australia.
Ends
* Canadean Wisdom database
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.
About Grolsch
Grolsch is a company with a rich tradition that goes back to 1615. The
focal point of Grolsch`s commercial activities lies in the Netherlands,
Grolsch`s historic home market. However, important international markets
for Grolsch include the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, France,
Australia and New Zealand. Grolsch is focused on targeting the premium
segment with the Grolsch brand as its main product.
In the year to 31 December 2007, Grolsch reported turnover of Euro332.9
million and net profit of Euro20 million. Total worldwide sales volumes
were 3.3 million hectoliters (hls), comprising 1.6 million hls of domestic
volumes in the Netherlands, and 1.7 million of international volumes.
Grolsch has approximately a 15% market share in the Netherlands, where it
operates from one brewery in Enschede. Its main domestic brands include
Grolsch Premium Pilsner, which represents approximately 90% of total
volumes in the Netherlands. Grolsch achieves approximately 74% of its
international sales volumes in the United Kingdom, the United States,
Canada, France, Australia and New Zealand through a network of alliances.
For more information on Koninklijke Grolsch N.V., visit the company`s
website: www.koninklijkegrolsch.nl or www.royalgrolsch.com.
Enquiries:
SABMiller plc Tel: +44 20 7659
0100
Sue Clark Director of Corporate Tel: +44 20 7659
Affairs 0184
Gary Leibowitz Senior Vice President, Tel: +44 20 7659
Investor Relations 0174
Jonathan Oates Business Media Relations Tel: +44 20 7659
Manager 0144
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: 15/05/2008 07:47:01 Produced by the JSE SENS Department.
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