JUNE 2 O O 1
In 1993, Heineken took its first steps in the German beer market,
when it started exporting Heineken Beer to that country. This
year, Heineken set up a joint venture together with Bayerische
BrauHolding AG (BBH).
The outcome: Heineken now holds a minority shareholding in
two German brewery groups, and will also handle the worldwide
exports of the white beer, Paulaner Weiss. BBH is part of the
Schörghuber Corporate Group. The new joint venture, which
operates under the name BrauHolding International AG, is 49.9%
Heineken owned, whilst the remaining 50.1% will continue to be
held by BBH (the Schörghuber Corporate Group). The BrauHolding
International joint venture holds 50% of the Paulaner Brauerei,
over 62% of the Kulmbacher Brauerei and 50% of the shares in
IRSA, a joint venture that has a shareholding of more than 61% in
the Chilean brewing group CCU. Paulaner, based in the German state
of Bavaria, has annual sales of 2.8 million hectolitres, making it
one of the leading breweries in the fragmented German beer
market. Its most successful brand is the white beer Paulaner Weiss.
According to Heineken Chairman Karei Vuursteen, this special
beer in particular is of great importance for Heineken. "Paulaner
is one of the most important Schörghuber brands and is justly
considered to be the pride of Bavaria. Paulaner complements the
international special beers portfolio marketed by our export
organisation."
The agreement with BBH gives Heineken an indirect stake in CCU,
the market leader in the beer market in Chile. Heineken also has a
15% interest in Quilmes. "The shareholder structure and say in CCU
remains unchanged. We are open to closer collaboration in the
interests of the further development of CCU," stated Mr Vuursteen
during the presentation of the annual results in March 2001.
49.9% IN NEW JOINT VENTURE
