China: China Resources Snow Breweries appoint new Chairman

China Resources Snow Breweries Limited (‘CR Snow'), SABMiller's joint venture in China with China Resources Enterprise Limited (‘CRE'), announced on August, 7 the appointment of Ari Mervis as Chairman.

Ari Mervis, currently managing director of SABMiller Asia, replaces Gert Goedhals with immediate effect, the company said.

Gert Goedhals was appointed chairman of CR Snow in 2004.

CR Snow was established in 1993 and entered into a joint venture with SABMiller plc in 1994. It operates more than 60 breweries on the Chinese Mainland and its flagship brand ‘Snow' is now one of the world's biggest selling beers.

In the year ended March 2009, CR Snow increased sales volumes by 7%, cementing its position as the largest brewer in China with sales of ‘Snow' up 19% to more than 60 million hectolitres.

SABMiller is one of the world's largest brewers with brewing interests and distribution agreements across six continents. The group's wide portfolio of brands includes premium international beers such as Grolsch, Miller Genuine Draft, Peroni Nastro Azzurro and Pilsner Urquell, as well as market-leading local brands such as Aguila, Castle, Miller Lite, Snow and Tyskie.

In the year ended 31 March 2009, the group reported US$3,405 million in adjusted pre-tax profit and group revenue of US$25,302 million. SABMiller is listed on the London and Johannesburg stock exchanges.

12 August, 2009