Slovakia: BRAU UNION has recently announced it is ready for further challenges in Slovakia. Production transferred from Nitra to the breweries in Hurbanovo and Rimavská Sobota. Transfer of malt production from Nitra and Rimavská Sobota to Hurbanovo.

Market pressure on low prices and growing production costs as well as rapid increase of indirect taxes require a restructuring of the organisation and optimisation of the production in Slovakia, Brau Union said. As of October 2004, production is transferred from Nitra brewery to the breweries in Hurbanovo and Rimavská Sobota. The malt production in Nitra and Rimavská Sobota will subsequently be moved to Hurbanovo malthouse by the end of 2004. The brewery in Rimavská Sobota will remain operational. The administrative headquarters will remain in Nitra.

The organisational changes will affect the breweries, the malthouses and the headquarters. Around 240 employees on a total of 1200 employees are concerned. For employees of Nitra brewery, who will accept the offer to work in Hurbanovo, the company will prepare a free of charge transport to their new work place. For the ones who will lose their job, in addition to a compensation package, there will be assistance in the search for a new professional activity.

The restructuring project will be finished until the end of 2004.

01 October, 2004