Netherlands & Czech Republic: Heineken in talks to acquire Czech brewery Drinks Union

Dutch brewery Heineken NV is in talks to acquire Czech beverage group Drinks Union, daily MF Dnes reported, according to Thomson Financial, November 22.

'Signing of the contract is near, now the price is being negotiated,' MF Dnes cited one of the sources as saying.

The deal would follow Heineken's acquisition of Czech brewery Krusovice, which it bought from Radeberger Gruppe KG for an undisclosed sum in mid-June, expanding its market share in the Czech Republic to 8 pct.

Drinks Union controls about 4 pct of the Czech market and an acquisition by Heineken would result in the Dutch brewery's market share in the Czech Republic nearing that of InBev, which controls Czech Staropramen.

'Even if we were in talks I would not comment,' MF Dnes cited Drink Union's board chairman as saying.

Heineken's spokeswoman Veronique Schyns told the daily Heineken never comments on its interest in other companies.

Drinks Union produces six beer brands and several types of spirits.

23 November, 2007