25th Aug 2006 07:00
SABMiller PLC25 August 2006 SABMiller plc to invest $175 million in new Colombian brewery London and Johannesburg, 25 August 2006: SABMiller plc, one of the world'sleading brewers, today announces that its Colombian subsidiary Bavaria willinvest US$175 million in a new brewery in Yumbo, on the outskirts of Cali inwestern Colombia, to keep pace with growing demand in the region. The new brewery, which will become operational in late 2007, will have aninitial capacity of 3.5 million hectolitres, increasing to 4.5 millionhectolitres by 2009. It replaces an existing 1.3 million hectolitre facility inthe centre of Cali, which is almost 80 years old and is on a site which cannotbe expanded. The new plant, which will be built to a high technological specification, isexpected to be world class in quality and productivity, setting a benchmark forother breweries in South America. It is anticipated that the investment willprovide employment for some 200 people and will include two new bottling lines,a keg plant and a new can line from 2009. Commenting on the new investment, Karl Lippert, the president of Bavaria, said: "We are confident in the Colombian economy and, importantly, in the support ofour consumers. The western parts of Colombia have had to be supplied to a largeextent from our Bogota and Medellin breweries, and this move will allow usfinally to catch up with the growing demand in this part of the country. A newbrewery such as this is also a great opportunity to take steps forward inproduction techniques, quality, ergonomics and environmental care, to thebenefit of our consumers and our other stakeholders." Ends Notes to editors: SABMiller SABMiller plc is one of the world's largest brewers with brewing interests ordistribution agreements in over 60 countries across five continents. The group'sbrands include premium international beers such as Miller Genuine Draft, PeroniNastro Azzurro and Pilsner Urquell, as well as an exceptional range of marketleading local brands. Outside the USA, SABMiller plc is also one of the largestbottlers of Coca-Cola products in the world. In the year ended 31 March 2006, the group reported US$15,307 million inrevenues and profit before tax of US$2,453 million. SABMiller plc is listed onthe London and Johannesburg stock exchanges. Bavaria S.A. Bavaria S.A. is Colombia's leading beverage company. Its brands Aguila, AguilaLight, Poker, Costena, Pilsen, Club Colombia, Brava, Costenita, Pony Malta, AguaBrisa, Tutti Fruti, Malta Leona, Cola y Pola, are leaders in Colombia. This announcement can be found on www.sabmiller.com High resolution brand images are available for the media to view and downloadfree of charge from www.vismedia.co.uk. Enquiries: SABMiller plc Tel: +44 20 7659 0100 Sue Clark Director of Corporate Affairs Tel: +44 20 7659 0184 Gary Leibowitz Vice President, Investor Relations Tel: +44 20 7659 0174 James Crampton Media Relations Manager Tel: +44 7795 208158 Bavaria S.A.Maria Clara Gracia Buitrago Director of Media Relations and Tel: +57-1-638 9290 - Bogota Corporate Identity This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell or issue or thesolicitation of an offer to buy or acquire securities of SABMiller plc (the"Company") or any of its affiliates in any jurisdiction or an inducement toenter into investment activity. This document includes "forward-looking statements". These statements maycontain the words "anticipate", "believe", "intend", "estimate", "expect" andwords of similar meaning. All statements other than statements of historicalfacts included in this announcement, including, without limitation, thoseregarding the Company's financial position, business strategy, plans andobjectives of management for future operations (including development plans andobjectives relating to the Company's products and services) are forward-lookingstatements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks,uncertainties and other important factors that could cause the actual results,performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different fromfuture results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by suchforward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based onnumerous assumptions regarding the Company's present and future businessstrategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future.These forward-looking statements speak only as at the date of this announcement.The Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminateany updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained in thisannouncement to reflect any change in the Company's expectations with regardthereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any suchstatement is based. Any information contained in this announcement on the price at which theCompany's securities have been bought or sold in the past, or on the yield onsuch securities, should not be relied upon as a guide to future performance. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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