Denmark: Carlsberg may close several European breweries

Carlsberg could close several of its breweries in Western Europe during 2007, chief executive Nils Smedegaard Andersen said, according to news agency Direkt, AFX News Limited reported March 7.

“Nordic countries and other smaller countries should typically have one brewery each,” Direkt quoted him as saying, adding that bigger countries should have two.

However, Smedegaard Andersen does not presently see any significant overcapacity at Carlsberg's breweries, Direkt said.

Smedegaard Andersen said there 'is no point closing breweries with a critical mass unless real estate is involved.'

This may indicate that Carlsberg's breweries in Leeds and Hamburg may be closed, since they are located in attractive areas in the centre of the cities, Direkt speculated.

16 March, 2007