E-Malt.com News article: Belgium: InBev signs outsourcing agreement for its IT infrastructure with IBM and BT

InBev S.A. announced on June 30 the outsourcing of its Information Technology infrastructure to IBM and BT. Data Center, Workplace & Services will be managed by IBM; BT will execute services in the area of Network and Voice. The transfer of 166 people to IBM and BT is involved and covers more than 25 countries.

The transfer of people and commencement of the services is foreseen for July 1st, 2005, except for Russia and Ukraine, where this will happen on August 1st, 2005. The transfer in Germany will happen in 2007.

The contract enables InBev to gain flexibility, rationalize its IT costs and move to a standard and global IT platform.

"This is an important part of InBev’s Biggest-to-Best vision and strategy. It is targeted to capitalize on the potential for global efficiencies and will provide the flexibility for future growth", says Jacques Purnode, InBev’s VP Global Infrastructure, Services & Operations. "Ensuring appropriate arrangements for people who are transferring to our partners has been an important element of the agreement", he adds.

The total value of the two contracts is approximately 400 million euro. Total one-off costs relating to this outsourcing decision will approximately be 40 million euro. The average expected annual EBITDA improvement will be 20-25 million euro for the duration of the contract.

InBev is a publicly traded company (Euronext: INB) based in Leuven, Belgium. The company's origins date back to 1366, and today it is the leading global brewer by volume. InBev's strategy is to strengthen its local platforms by building significant positions in the world's major beer markets through organic growth, world-class efficiency, targeted acquisitions, and by putting consumers first. InBev has a portfolio of more than 200 brands, including Stella Artois®, Brahma®, Beck's®, Skol®-the third-largest selling beer brand in the world-Leffe®, Hoegaarden®, Staropramen® and Bass®. InBev employs some 77,000 people, running operations in over 30 countries across the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific. In 2004, InBev realized a net turnover of 8.57 billion euro (including four months of AmBev). For further information visit www.inbev.com.


03 July, 2005