USA: In a joint announcement from February 23 2004, Carlsberg Breweries A/S and Labatt USA LLC have agreed to end their import, distribution and marketing agreement in the United States, effective May 1, 2004. Carlsberg Breweries A/S will create its own import company, Carlsberg USA Inc.

“Carlsberg and Labatt USA have enjoyed a positive, mutually beneficial relationship since we first joined forces,” said Simon Thorpe, president of Labatt USA. “Dramatic changes have taken place in the imported beer market during that time, and as a result, both companies agree that the time is right to part ways. For Labatt USA, the change allows us to focus efforts on our diverse portfolio of imported and specialty beers, particularly on-premise, where Labatt USA supplies 50 percent of the imported draught beer,” said Thorpe.

“Carlsberg Breweries has had a good relationship with Labatt USA and we appreciate the efforts they have made over the years for the Carlsberg brand,” says Soren Holm Jensen, Carlsberg Breweries vice president. “But the time has now come to form our own import company, Carlsberg USA Inc., which will give us full control of our sales and marketing initiatives. Also, it makes sense to group several complementary Carlsberg brands under one roof, much as Labatt USA has successfully done in America.”

Carlsberg USA plans to distribute the Carlsberg brand and Carlsberg Elephant, Tuborg Gold and its two UK brands Tetley’s and Double Diamond. The new import company will be dedicated to strengthening its brands in the United States through continued successful marketing and sales of its brands, and the long term commitment of Carlsberg Breweries A/S.

Headquartered in Norwalk, Conn., Labatt USA imports and brews a broad portfolio of high quality beers, including Rolling Rock®, Labatt Blue®, Tecate®, Dos Equis®, and Stella Artois®. Labatt USA is a joint venture of Labatt Brewing Co. Ltd., Canada, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Interbrew S.A. of Belgium, and of FEMSA Cerveza S.A. de C.V. of Mexico, subsidiary of FEMSA .

Founded over 150 years ago in Copenhagen, Denmark, Carlsberg Breweries is a major international brewer. It sells beer, soft drinks and water in about 150 markets. Brewing takes place at 103 production sites in 49 countries. Its Carlsberg and Tuborg brands are among the most widely sold beers in the world.

25 February, 2004