MegaBrew: Now AB InBev offers to sell SABMiller’s Central and Eastern European brands to make the deal happen
Anheuser-Busch InBev has told the European Commission it will sell all of SABMiller's Central and Eastern European brands, alongside those already being touted, in order to push through with the Megabrew deal.
SABMiller's businesses in Hungary, Romania, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland will be put up for sale, in addition to Peroni, Grolsch and Meantime and their related businesses, which are in the process of being sold to Japanese group Asahi.
"These assets include a number of top brands in their markets and are expected to attract considerable interest from potential buyers," AB InBev said this morning. The firm added:
The acquisition of SABMiller by AB InBev would create a truly global brewer, providing more choices for beer drinkers, including global and local brands, in new and existing markets around the world.
The businesses include Dreher Breweries in Hungary, Kompania Piwowarska in Poland; Plzenský Prazdroj and Pivovary Topvar in the Czech Republic and Slovakia and Ursus Breweries in Romania.
Alan Clark, chief executive of SABMiller, said: "SABMiller's Central and Eastern European businesses have been a core part of our growth story since we first embarked on our international expansion strategy over 20 years ago.
"We are very proud of these businesses, their brands and the people that have made them the successes they are today, and we will continue to grow and support them throughout this process."