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SABMILLER PLC - SABMILLER ASSOCIATE ANNOUNCES GREENFIELD BREWERY INVESTMENT IN
CHINA
SABMILLER PLC
JSEALPHA CODE: SAB
ISSUER CODE: SOSAB
ISIN CODE: GB0004835483
SABMILLER ASSOCIATE ANNOUNCES GREENFIELD BREWERY INVESTMENT IN CHINA
SABMiller Associate Announces Greenfield Brewery Investment in China
London and Johannesburg, 26 August 2004. China Resources Breweries Limited
(`CRB`), an associate of SABMiller plc (`SABMiller`) and a subsidiary of China
Resources Enterprise, Limited (`CRE`), announces that it will invest US$82.2
million (RMB 682m) in the construction of a new brewery in the city of Dongguan,
in the south-east Chinese province of Guangdong. The brewery, which will have
an ultimate capacity of approximately 3 million hectolitres at a cost of US$27.4
per hectolitre, will be built to international specifications enabling it to
produce premium and draught beer. The brewery is expected to be operational in
early 2006, construction is expected to commence in November, and on completion
will provide employment for some 450 people.
The Guangdong province, which incorporates the Pearl River Delta, is the most
prosperous and economically developed in China with a population of over 79
million and the highest regional GDP. The province accounts for approximately
8% of China`s total beer volume and volumes in the province have risen from
6.6 million hectolitres in 1992 to an estimated 19.5 million hectolitres in
2003. Dongguan, together with Guangzhou and Shenzhen, is the largest beer
consuming area in the province.
Andre Parker, SABMiller`s Africa & Asia Managing Director, commented:
`This is CRB`s first greenfield investment in China and will be achieved at a
competitive entry cost of US$27 per hectolitre, comparing favourably with recent
acquisition multiples. The cities of Dongguan, Shenzhen and Guangzhou will be
important future markets for CRB`s Snow brand as well as, potentially, our
international premium brands such as Miller Genuine Draft. Additionally, CRE`s
extensive supermarket chain will also provide good regional distribution
synergies. This investment is a continuation of CRB`s successful 10 year
strategy of increasing its national coverage.`
China Resources Breweries is the second largest brewer in China, with a market
share of 11% and production capacity of 53 million hectolitres across 33
breweries. In the year to March 2004, CRB reported sales volumes of 25.3
million hectolitres, including 7 million hectolitres of Snow. SABMiller entered
the China market in 1994 and is one of few profitable foreign brewers operating
in the country.
Ends
About SABMiller plc
SABMiller plc is one of the world`s largest brewers, with 2003/04 lager sales
volumes in excess of 137 million hectolitres. It has a brewing presence in over
40 countries across four continents and a portfolio of strong brands and leading
market shares in many of the countries in which it has brewing operations.
Outside the USA, SABMiller plc is one of the largest bottlers of Coca-Cola
products in the world.
In the year ended 31 March 2004, the group generated US$1,391million pre-tax
profit from a turnover of US$12,645 million. SABMiller plc is listed on the
London and Johannesburg stock exchanges.
About China Resources Breweries Limited
China Resources Breweries Limited was established in 1994 and is engaged in the
production, sales and marketing of beer and beverages in China. Its shareholders
are China Resources Enterprise, Limited and SABMiller plc, the third largest
brewing group in the world. China Resources Enterprise, Limited has 51%
interests in China Resources Breweries Limited while SABMiller plc holds 49%
interests. It operates more than 30 breweries in the Chinese Mainland with total
sales volume of 2.53 million kilolitres in 2003.
About China Resources Enterprise, Limited
China Resources Enterprise, Limited is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange
and is also traded on SEAQ International of the London Stock Exchange. It is
also one of the constituent stocks of the Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong and Hang
Seng London Reference Index. The group has a well-diversified portfolio of
businesses in both Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland, with principal activities
being retail, beverage, food processing and distribution, textile and petroleum
distribution.
26 August 2004
