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SABMiller plc - SABMiller to invest GBP30 million to promote key brands in the
UK
SABMiller plc
JSE ALPHA CODE: SAB
ISSUER CODE: SOSAB
ISIN CODE: GB0004835483
SABMiller to invest GBP30 million to promote key brands in the UK
London and Johannesburg, 21 July 2005: SABMiller plc today announces the launch
of MILLER BRANDS (UK) Limited, a new operating company which will manage the
sales, marketing and distribution of Pilsner Urquell, Peroni Nastro Azzurro,
Miller Genuine Draft and Castle Lager in the UK. For the first time, MILLER
BRANDS will drive the strategic direction and investment for all four of
SABMiller`s premium brands in the UK. An initial investment of GBP30 million
(US$52 million) over the next two years signals the company`s determination to
increase its share of the premium beer market
As part of this move, SABMiller has reached a new agreement with Scottish &
Newcastle plc to transfer the marketing and distribution rights for Miller
Genuine Draft to MILLER BRANDS from January 2006. At the same time Scottish &
Newcastle will transfer back the distribution rights for Peroni Nastro Azzurro
in the off-trade. Scottish & Newcastle will continue to contract brew Miller
Genuine Draft and manage the `Miller Beer` brand under licence in the UK.
Gary Whitlie, Managing Director of MILLER BRANDS, commented:
`We have an exciting portfolio of well known international brands that we
believe has strong growth potential in the UK. Our investment of GBP30 million
demonstrates our commitment to this market and we are determined to bring a
fresh approach to satisfying the needs of our customers and consumers. This is a
premium brand business which will leverage our considerable global experience in
building profitable beer brands.`
Physical distribution of product will commence in October 2005 when MILLER
BRANDS takes over responsibility for Pilsner Urquell, Castle Lager and Peroni
Nastro Azzurro (on-trade). Miller Genuine Draft will follow in January 2006.
The company is based at SABMiller House in Woking and initially creates 35 new
jobs.
For further information on MILLER BRANDS please visit the website:
www.millerbrands.co.uk
Notes to editors:
SABMiller plc
SABMiller plc is one of the world`s largest brewers, with 2004/05 lager sales
volumes in excess of 148 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 2005, the group generated US$2,194 million pre-tax
profit from a turnover of US$14,543 million. SABMiller plc is listed on the
London and Johannesburg stock exchanges.
This announcement is available on the SABMiller website, www.sabmiller.com
High resolution images are available for the media to view and download free of
charge from www.vismedia.co.uk
Enquiries:
SABMiller plc Tel: +44 20 7659 0100
Sue Clark Director of Corporate Tel: +44 20 7659 0184
Affairs
Gary Leibowitz Vice President, Investor Tel. +44 20 7659 0119
Relations Mob: +44 7717 428540
James Crampton Media Relations Manager Tel: +44 20 7659 0172
Mob: +44 7795 208158
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.
