E-Malt.com News article: 788

SABMiller plc (SABMiller) announced on March 18, 2003 that its wholly owned subsidiary, The South African Breweries Ltd (SAB), is to add its own international premium brands, Pilsner Urquell and Miller Genuine Draft to the SAB portfolio on an import basis within the next few weeks, which will broaden its range of beers in South Africa's growing premium segment.

"Following the transaction to acquire Miller in 2002, it was inevitable that there would be certain changes. Today I am very excited to be able to announce the introduction of two of our world-renowned brands, Pilsner Urquell, the world's original golden beer, and Miller Genuine Draft, the icon US beer brand, to the South African market. Both these brands will extend further the quality and choice of beers available to South African consumers in the growing premium market," said Peter McLoughlin, Marketing Director of SAB.

This announcement follows the ending of the joint venture agreement in South Africa between Heineken NV and SAB Ltd for the brewing and distribution of the Heineken brand.
SABMiller has 115 brewing operations and over 69,000 employees, in 24 countries across Africa, Central and Eastern Europe, North and Central America and Asia.


20 March, 2003