Interbrew, AmBev plan to merge
The world's #3 beer company, Interbrew, and the #5 company, AmBev announced plans to merge their operations into a new company called Interbrew AmBev. The combination of the two companies would create the leading beer company in the world by volume of beer sold, leapfrogging past current #1 Anheuser Busch and #2 SABMiller. (Anheuser Busch would remain #1 in income.)
Belgium-based Interbrew is the leading European beer company with such brands as Stella Artois, Beck's, Labatt, Bass, and (in the US) Rolling Rock, among many more local brands. Brazil-based AmBev is the leading South American brewer, with such brands as Skol, Antarctica, Bohemia, and Brahma. AmBev is the result of a 2000 merger of the two leading Brazilian brewers, though its operations are string in Argentina, Uruguay, and Venezuela. The company is also a major Pepsi bottler and brews Miller, Heineken, and Carlsberg by license in Brazil.
While the agreement is made, it is expected that Anheuser Busch and Heineken, which are anxious to expand operations in Latin America, may make a counterbid. The complex arrangements also might founder because of the Brazilian government.
In any case, it's likely the next step in the inexorable concentration and internationalization of the beer industry. Interest in dominating developing markets continues to drive new mergers.
9:57:44 PM 
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