AB InBev picks up biggest ever bar bill with £79bn SABMiller acquisition
Anheuser-Busch InBev picked up the world’s biggest ever bar bill last night after agreeing a £79bn merger with SABMiller to create a new brewing giant.
The new combined entity will trade under the AB InBev name from its Brussels HQ with significant ramifications for UK staff where around three per cent of employees could lose their jobs.
AB InBev chief exec Carlos Brito commented: “As a truly global brewer, we will be able to achieve more together than each of us could separately. We remain focused on delivering superior top-line growth and increasing shareholder value.
“Building on our strong heritage, passion for brewing and expanded brand portfolio, we are also committed to helping farmers, retailers, entrepreneurs and communities thrive.”
The move also marks the single largest takeover of a British business to date and follows 13 months of tortuous negotiations.