Anheuser-Busch InBev has formally informed European Union antitrust regulators of its plan to sell SABMiller’s premium European brands to try to secure approval for its $100 billion-plus takeover of the London-based brewer.
The world’s top brewer has already struck a deal to sell the assets to Japan’s Asahi Group Holdings, a tactic aimed at staving off a possible lengthy investigation of the biggest ever deal in the consumer goods industry.
“This proposal concerns the European premium brand families of Peroni, Grolsch and Meantime and their associated businesses in Italy, the Netherlands, UK and internationally, excluding certain U.S. rights,” an AB Inbev spokeswoman said.
The European Commission said it would now decide by May 24 whether to clear the deal, a filing on its website showed without giving further details.
The EU competition enforcer will seek feedback from rivals and other third parties before deciding whether the offer is sufficient to allay regulatory worries.
The SABMiller acquisition would allow AB InBev, maker of Budweiser and Stella Artois, to expand into countries such as Colombia and Peru and crucially, Africa.
AB Inbev is also selling SABMiller’s stake in U.S. joint venture MillerCoors to Molson Coors Brewing and SABMiller’s stake in its CR Snow venture to China Resources Beer to address competition concerns in other regions.
By Foo Yun Chee and Martinne Geller
Source: Reuters
The facility is designed to foster innovation and deepen collaboration with customers, by offering a range of new services and solidifying its role as a central hub for customer support. Tereos’ team, supported by a network of 50 scientists, will ensure customers can innovate and meet the rising consumer demand for healthier and more sustainable products.
Glanbia has agreed to acquire Flavor Producers from Aroma Holding for an initial consideration of $300 million. Flavor Producers is a US-based flavour platform, providing flavours and extracts to the F&B industries, with a focus on organic and natural ingredients.
Lesnard, who previously worked at Nike, The North Face and Sephora, has a mission to “grow and sustain GODIVA’s position and expertise in the premium chocolate category, leveraging ongoing support from pladis to take GODIVA and its legendary chocolate to new heights.”
