The Australian distributorship for Australia’s most popular imported Japanese beer has been lost by Foster’s. The Japanese Asahi Group has appointed its own Australian subsidiary company Independent Distillers to market and distribute Asahi beer through the premium beverages division of Independent Distillers. As reported by Australian Food News in late 2011, Foster’s was taken over by South African beer giant SABMiller and subsequently also lost Australian distribution rights for another international... ...Read more »

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has announced it will not oppose the proposed acquisition of P&N Beverages Australia by Japanese brewery group Asahi after competition concerns were resolved by Asahi. On 9 March 2011, the ACCC opposed an earlier acquisition proposal, saying it would ‘remove P&N as a vigorous and effective competitor in the markets for the supply of carbonated soft drinks (CSDs) and cordial’. Asahi then revised its proposal to acquire P&N... ...Read more »

Submissions to the ACCC closed on 31 July 2011 for parties interested in relation to the proposed acquisition by Asahi Holdings (Australia) Pty Ltd, the large Japanese beverage maker, of P&N Beverages Australia Pty Ltd. After their initial bid was rejected early this year, Asahi Holdings have revised their offer to P&N, limiting it to only the water and juice business. The ACCC has indicated that it will announce its findings about the proposed acquisition on 18 August 2011. If the ACCC find... ...Read more »

Japanese beverage giant Asahi has announced takeover bids for two major Australasian beverage companies, P&N Beverages and Charlie’s Juices. Asahi, which purchased Schweppes in 2009, has entered into a binding agreement to purchase 100% of shares in P&N, which it will then divide, selling the company’s carbonated soft drinks and cordials arm on to Tru Blu Beverages, while retaining P&N’s water and juice businesses. The split comes as an attempt to appease the ACCC, which... ...Read more »

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has announced it will oppose the proposed acquisition of P&N Beverages Australia Pty Ltd by Asahi Holdings (Australia) Pty Ltd. Asahi owns Schweppes Australia Pty Ltd, the second largest manufacturer of carbonated soft drinks (CSDs) in Australia and the largest manufacturer of cordial. Its products include the Schweppes and Pepsi range of soft drinks, as well as the Cottee’s range of cordial. P&N is the third largest manufacturer of... ...Read more »

Carlton & United Breweries and Asahi Breweries Ltd, brewer of Japan’s leading exported beer, Asahi Super Dry, today extended a long term exclusive license to sell and market Asahi Super Dry in Australia. “We have a longstanding relationship with Carlton & United Breweries and we’re delighted it is set to continue,” said Asahi Breweries Ltd President and Chief Operating Officer Mr Naoki Izumiya. “We are extremely pleased with Asahi Super Dry’s performance in Australia and are confident... ...Read more »

Speculation is mounting that Australia’s largest brewer could be the next takeover target as mass consolidation takes place in the global beverage sector. Foster’s has long been touted as a likely target of global brewers like SABMiller and Asahi but despite all the rumours a bid has yet to eventuate – largely due to the influence of their wine division. However, a report in Business Spectator this morning claims a “deal is imminent”. Consolidation The alcoholic beverage... ...Read more »

Suntory, the owner of Frucor and one of Japan’s larger brewers, is still considering the option of a merger with Kirin Holdings – which would create a food and beverage firm of an equivalent size to PepsiCo. Analysts believe such a merger will give them the ability to take price leadership in their stagnant home market, while also allowing them to speed up their overseas expansion plans – which have largely centred on Australia to date. “If a merger is realized, that would... ...Read more »

Schweppes has increased the prices of their beverages by up to 10 per cent, according to a report in The Age. Australia’s second largest soft drink beverage manufacturer will reportedly charge an extra 8-10%, representing their first price hike since 2007. Schweppes, which was purchased from Cadbury by Asahi for $1.185 million earlier this year, has denied suggestions from analysts that the rise was due to the Japanese brewing giant seeking to gain an immediate return on investment. The maker... ...Read more »

Coca-Cola Amatil (CCA) Chief Executive Terry Davis has said the price offered to Lion Nathan shareholders solidifies their view that last year’s offer by Lion undervalued their worth.The offer for the remaining Lion Nathan shares made by Kirin at the start of the week represented a price to earnings ratio of around 13.8, comfortably above the 10.5 offered for CCA by Lion in a bid backed by Kirin last November. “What has happened is that the very high multiples paid for Lion Nathan validates... ...Read more »