ROMANIA: BBAG TAKES OVER LEADING BEER GROUP

Article Abstract:

Through its subsidiary Brau Union, Austria's biggest drinks group, Linz-based Osterreichische Braubeteiligungs-AG (BBAG) has bought three breweries from Romanian Brewery Holdings Limited (BHL). By taking over Bere Miercurea-Ciuc, Grivita International and Haber International, BBAG doubles its market share in Romania to 36%. BHL, which is backed by three British investment companies, acquired the three breweries three years ago. In year 2000 the three breweries are expected to sell about 2.4mn hl of beer (up from 2mn hl) and generate a turnover of US$ 83.5mn (up from US$ 68.3mn). Synergies are expected to lead to cost savings of 3-5% of turnover in raw materials, marketing and logistics. BBAG, which already had four breweries in Romania, is to spend about EUR 25mn on expanding production capacities in Romania. The group will focus mainly on the local brands Ciuc, Gambrinus, Goldenbrau, Hargitha, Hartagena and Silva, but also the Austrian labels Kaiser and Gosser are to be offered in Romania, where annual beer consumption amounts to about 11.3mn hl. The market is forecast to grow at an annual rate of 4% by year 2005. With the present acquisition, BBAG catches up with Heineken in its pursuit to become the leading beer group in Central Europe, but remains behind South African Breweries.

Foreign operations, Romania, Brau Union AG, Grivita International, Haber International, Romanian Brewery Holdings Ltd.

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POLAND: AUSTRIAN BBAG PLANNING MORE ACQUISITIONS

Article Abstract:

Osterreichische Braubeteiligungs-AG (BBAG) wants to gain 10% of the Polish beer market within two years. Heineken is the market leader with a 30% market share, followed by SAB of South Africa with 28%. By acquiring Van Pur at the beginning of year 2000, BBAG gained 2.5% of the Polish beer market. The Polish company has an annual turnover of Sch 405mn. BBAG has also submitted an offer for the Krolewskie brewery of Warsaw, which generates an annual turnover of about Sch 380mn and holds 3.4% of the market. In order to gain the 10% market share, BBAG needs 1-2 further takeovers. It is eyeing especially the south and north-western areas of Poland. In the long term all Polish breweries of BBAG will produce the Kaiser beer, which according to the Austrian group is the first international premium beer on the Polish market, where beer consumption is rising. Currently annual per capita consumption is 58 litres, compared with 109 litres in Austria.

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POLAND: AUSTRIANS GET WARSAW BREWERY

Article Abstract:

The Polish ministry for the interior has approved the acquisition of the Krolewskie brewery in Warsaw by the Polish subsidiary of Austrian BBAG/Brau Union.

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