E-Malt.com News article: Czech Republic: K Brewery Group buys Platan beer maker

Czech brewery Mestsky pivovar Platan, until now controlled by six individuals, has a new owner, K Brewery Group that has become the sole shareholder in the beer producer, the news server Euro Online has reported, according to CTK, February 4.

K Brewery Group board chairman Zdenek Radil confirmed the change in the ownership structure to the server.

The new investment group has been acquiring stakes in small and mid-sized independent Czech breweries since last year, and now holds shares in the breweries Cerna Hora, Svijany, Rohozec and Janacek. Euro OnLine said the company was also in talks to enter the brewery in Jihlava.

Mestsky pivovar Platan produced 341,000 hectolitres of beer last year, a decline from a record 401,000 hectolitres in 2006, which director Ladislav Rosmueller attributed to lower supplies to the largest customers and to a decrease in own production.

Besides its own brand Platan, the company produces beer in licence for Plzensky Prazdroj, and a private brand for the retail chain Lidl.

Mestsky pivovar Platan was part of Jihoceske pivovary Ceske Budejovice till 2002 and then acquired by the town of Protivin. From November 2002 the company was owned by six individuals.


06 February, 2008