Heineken has made an important move for the expansion of its current share in the German beer market, which is the largest in Europe and which is at the same time one of the most fragmented, with about 1270 breweries.

In order to obtain a more solid position in Germany, Heineken together with Schorghuber Corporate Group bought 45 % from the stock of Karlsberg International Brand GmbH (KIB),a company from Germany which yearly sells 3900000 hectolitres of beer and which appertains to Karlsberg group.

The 45% stake in KIB will be consolidated into Brau Holding International AG,a joint company established in 2001 by Schorghuber Corporate Group and Heineken.

05 June, 2002