AUSTRIA/EAST EUROPE: MORE TAKEOVERS BY BBAG

Article Abstract:

Austria's biggest drinks group, Linz-based Osterreichische Braubeteiligungs-AG (BBAG) is in talks about the acquisitions of about ten breweries in eastern central Europe. The plans concentrate on the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia. In Poland the Austrian company has just completed the acquisition of the beer producer Van Pur. For year 2000 BBAG expects a 14% increase in group turnover. Then the group's foreign sales should for the first time exceed those in Austria, where the subsidiary Brau Union holds 56% of the market. BBAG's market share in the Czech Republic is 4.5%, in Poland 3%, in Hungary just under 26% and in Romania 18%. In 1999 BBAG group's drink sales increased 7% to 11.6mn hl, of which beer accounted for 9.7mn hl (up 6%). In Austria BBAG beer sales remained unchanged at about 5mn hl. In Hungary they increased 5% to just under 1.8mn hl and in Romania 35% to 2mn hl (acquisition of Silva), while in the Czech Republic they declined 2% to 620,000 hl. BBAG group turnover increased 5% to Sch 11.7bn. Operating profit will at least match the Sch 974.3mn of 1998.

Czech Republic

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AUSTRIA: BBAG CONTINUES TO FOCUS ON EAST EUROPE

Article Abstract:

Austria's biggest drinks group, Linz-based Osterreichische Braubeteiligungs-AG (BBAG) expects to at least match the 1999 results in year 2000. In 1999 group turnover rose from Sch 11.124bn to Sch 11.640bn. Earnings before interests and taxes grew from Sch 849mn to Sch 906mn, while net profit fell from Sch 680mn to Sch 550mn. Beer sales from 18 production plants rose from Sch 9.142mn hl to 9.716mn hl. Exports declined 10.2% to EUR 15.2mn. In Poland, BBAG's beer arm Brau Union is planning to make a fourth acquisition. By the end of year 2000 the Austrian company wants to take a majority stake in the Krolewsky brewery in Warsaw and raise its 24% stakes in the Van Pur and Kujawiak breweries into majority holdings. Then it would hold 7.3% of the Polish beer market, but is aiming at a 10% share. In the whole of eastern central Europe, BBAG is number three after Heineken and South African Breweries, but the Austrian company is catching up. Eastern central Europe will continue to be the main target of BBAG, which has production plants also in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Romania. Altogether it has nine production plants in the region. At the same time, BBAG is considering to bid for the Swiss beer market leader Feldschlosschen-Hurlimann.

Foreign operations, Switzerland, Malt beverages, Brau Union AG, Van Pur

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SLOVAKIA: AUSTRIAN BBAG EYEING BREWERIES

Article Abstract:

The Linz-based drink producer Brau-Beteiligungs-AG (BBAG) wants to strengthen its leading position in eastern central Europe by acquisitions in Slovakia. The Austrian company is in talks about taking over the Gemer brewery and malt factory in Vlkanova, Slovakia. The Slovak company that markets the brands Gemer and Martiner made a profit of Sk 16.4mn in the first half of 1999. BBAG is eyeing also the Topvar brewery in Topolcany. The owners of the latter brewery are, however, not willing to sell.

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