The Australian Federal Treasurer today approved SABMiller’s acquisition of Australian brewer Foster’s and the remaining 50% of Pacific Beverages, on recommendation from the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB). The Treasurer’s approval of the transaction marks the final regulatory condition to be satisfied ahead of the shareholder vote at the upcoming scheme meeting scheduled for 1 December 2011. In a statement released today, SABMiller said the acquisition is expected to be completed... ...Read more »

Model and TV presenter Jennifer Hawkins and entrepreneur John Singleton today toasted the first Bluetongue Premium Lager to roll off the production line at the new $120 million Pacific Beverages-owned brewery on the Central Coast today. After 18 months of building and the commencement of brewing a few weeks ago, the facility can now ramp up to its annual capacity of 50 million litres, equivalent to about 6.5 million cases. Singleton was enthusiastic about the new beer. “It is an exciting day... ...Read more »

SABMiller announces that Pacific Beverages, its joint venture with Coca-Cola Amatil in Australia, has commenced brewing at its new US$105 million Bluetongue brewery in Warnervale, approximately 95km north of Sydney. The state-of-the-art facility has a capacity of 500,000 hectolitres and will incorporate two brewhouses in the one brewery. This ‘twin stream brewhouse’ will enable the production of a combination of the popular domestic brands in addition to SABMiller’s international brands... ...Read more »

Australia’s largest soft drink producer today announced they remained on track to meet their guidance for the full year, while Mother and Glacéau vitaminwater continue to outperform expectations. “The Australian beverage business achieved solid volume and revenue growth in the third quarter,” the firm advised in their trading update. “Transaction volume growth, being the number of physical beverage packs sold, also remained robust as the business continued to benefit from... ...Read more »

Australia’s largest soft drink bottler, Coca-Cola Amatil, has delivered a record first half net profit after tax of $189.8 million as tougher trading conditions fail to quell Australian appetite for soft drinks. The result, a 10.4% increase on last year, was warmly received by the market and Managing Director Terry Davis. “Although CCA has experienced tougher trading conditions, it has delivered another record result,” he noted. “Excellent performances from the Australian... ...Read more »

Despite many being confronted with greater financial pressures, Australians refuse to sacrifice their taste buds when it comes to their choice of alcohol. Strong volume sales of imported and domestic premium beer, premium brand spirits and bottled wine over $10, contradict the belief that Australians could turn to cheaper booze in times of struggle. Imported premium beer and domestic premium beer enjoyed significant volume growth of 15.3 and 18.6 per cent respectively for the quarter to March 2009,... ...Read more »

Coca-Cola Amatil have reported strong growth in the first half despite a “noticeable shift” in consumer behaviour. Australia’s largest soft drink beverage maker advised, in their May trading update, that a hot summer had driven strong demand in the first quarter, while the stimulus packages helped them achieve strong volume and revenue growth. “The economic downturn has resulted in a noticeable shift in consumer behaviour,” the maker of Coca-Cola in Australia said. “Demand... ...Read more »

Coca-Cola Amatil Limited, Australia’s largest soft drink producer, has recorded a record net profit after tax for the 2008 full year of $404.3 million, 10.4% up on 2007. CCA’s Group Managing Director, Mr Terry Davis, was delighted with the results considering the prevailing market conditions. “CCA has delivered a record profit result against a backdrop of the most challenging economic and trading environment we have experienced for many years,” he said. “The achievement... ...Read more »

Coca-Cola Amatil, Australia’s largest soft drink bottler, has reported their first half profit after tax has risen 22% to $171.9 million. The distributor of Coca-Cola in Australia advised that stronger cash control was one of the reasons for the increase. New beverage products added impetus to the results, with the Mother re-launch, Kirk’s Ginger Beer, Powerade Edge and Recovery and Glacéau – which is likely reap sales 4 times the original forecasts – among the successful... ...Read more »

Pacific Beverages, a brand under the Coca-Cola Amatil banner, have announced that they are to build a new brewery in NSW to help continue their push into the alcoholic beverage industry. The brewery will be built with the help of their joint venture partner, SABMiller. The announcement follows Pacific Beverages’ acquisition last December of the Hunter-based premium beer brands, Bluetongue and Bondi Blonde from majority Bluetongue shareholder John Singleton, and is considered the next... ...Read more »