A-B InBev and Grupo Modelo to Combine
After much industry speculation, Anheuser-Busch InBev and Grupo Modelo, S.A.B. de C.V. announced that they have indeed entered into an agreement under which Anheuser-Busch InBev will acquire the remaining stake in Grupo Modelo that it does not already own for $9.15 per share in cash in a transaction valued at $20.1 billion or MXN 278.6 billion. The combination will be completed through a series of steps that will simplify Grupo Modelo's corporate structure, followed by an all-cash tender offer by AB InBev for all outstanding Grupo Modelo shares. The tender price represents a premium of approximately 30 percent to the closing price of Grupo Modelo series C shares on June 22, 2012.
The agreement is a natural next step given AB InBev's existing economic stake of more than 50 percent in Grupo Modelo and the successful long-term partnership between the two companies. The combined company would lead the global beer industry with roughly 400 million hectoliters of beer volume annually and 2012 estimated revenues of $47 billion. Its operations would span 24 countries with enhanced opportunities for 150,000 employees across the globe.
"Grupo Modelo has been one of our most important partners for more than 20 years and we are very pleased to evolve our long and successful relationship into this combination," says Carlos Brito, chief executive officer of Anheuser-Busch InBev. "There is tremendous opportunity from combining two leading brand portfolios and further expanding Grupo Modelo's brands worldwide through AB InBev's extensive global distribution network. Our admiration for Grupo Modelo's business and brands has only increased with time and we look forward to joining our historic and world-class breweries. We also recognize and appreciate the critical role that Grupo Modelo's shareholders and management have played in the company's longstanding success within Mexico and internationally and look forward to their continued contributions."
"We have worked together with Anheuser-Busch InBev in a productive decades-long partnership, and it is time to cement our relationship through this merger," says Carlos Fernandez, chairman and chief executive officer of Grupo Modelo. "Together we will be the leading global brewer with top brands around the world and positions in some of the fastest growing countries. This is an exciting transaction that will bring our brands and proud heritage to even more consumers internationally while offering an increasing number of AB InBev's brands in Mexico. Grupo Modelo's Board believes that this combination will deliver significant benefits for all stakeholders."
The combination would create a significant growth opportunity worldwide from combining two leading brand portfolios and distribution networks. It would bring together five of the top six and seven of the top ten most valuable beer brands in the world, each with distinct brand imagery and consumer positioning. The combined company would unite Grupo Modelo's number one position in the world's fourth largest profit pool with AB InBev's leading global position, further increasing AB InBev's exposure to fast-growing developing markets.
Building on its rich tradition and unique brand positioning, Corona would become a global flagship brand alongside Budweiser and join global brands Stella Artois and Beck's. There will be meaningful opportunities to grow Corona globally outside the U.S. and Mexico, given AB InBev's established platform for distribution worldwide and the resources at its disposal as the leading global brewer.
The combination would bring together significant industry expertise and complementary geographic experience. Grupo Modelo has successfully imported and distributed Budweiser and Bud Light in Mexico for more than twenty years and has a strong track record as a leader in Mexico. The company has also developed Corona into the leading import beer in 38 countries around the world and successfully markets the brand in more than 180 countries.
Grupo Modelo's Name and Headquarters in Mexico City to Remain
Grupo Modelo's name, identity, heritage and headquarters in Mexico City will be maintained, and the company will continue to have a local board.
Carlos Fernandez, Maria Asuncion Aramburuzabala and Valentin Diez Morodo will continue to play an important role on Grupo Modelo's Board of Directors and AB InBev will seek the board's insights and expertise. Two Grupo Modelo board members will join AB InBev's Board of Directors, and they have committed, only upon tender of their shares, to invest USD 1.5 billion of their proceeds from the tender offer into shares of AB InBev to be delivered within five years via a deferred share instrument.
Consumers in Mexico would benefit from the increased choice offered by AB InBev's extensive portfolio. AB InBev will ensure that the integrity and quality of Grupo Modelo's brands are preserved, respecting the great traditions that AB InBev has experienced firsthand over the years.
AB InBev believes that Mexico is an attractive market in which to invest with solid macroeconomic fundamentals and a favorable demographic profile. Mexico is the second largest economy in Latin America and has one of the highest per capita GDPs within developing markets. Beer is the largest alcohol beverage subcategory in the country with 70 percent of value share, representing about $22 billion in retail sales in 2011. A growing middle class, rising urbanization rates and increased consumer spending due to higher disposable incomes are expected to drive category growth. Mexico's economy recorded 4.6 percent GDP growth in the first quarter of 2012, and strong performance is expected to continue in the long term, driving private consumption.
The existing partnership between AB InBev and Grupo Modelo, which dates back to 1993, is being enhanced through a series of transactions that will simplify and streamline the corporate structure of Grupo Modelo. As part of these transactions, Diblo, S.A. de C.V., the holding company for Grupo Modelo's operating subsidiaries, and Direccion de Fabricas (DIFA), S.A. de C.V., a leading glass bottle manufacturer in Mexico with output largely dedicated to Grupo Modelo, will merge into parent Grupo Modelo for newly issued Grupo Modelo shares. Immediately after the mergers of Diblo and DIFA, AB InBev will commence an all-cash tender offer for all of the outstanding shares of Grupo Modelo that it will not own at that time for a total consideration of $20.1 billion or $9.15 per share. Both companies' Boards of Directors have approved the transaction.
Visit www.ab-inbev.com for more details about this transcation.
The agreement is a natural next step given AB InBev's existing economic stake of more than 50 percent in Grupo Modelo and the successful long-term partnership between the two companies. The combined company would lead the global beer industry with roughly 400 million hectoliters of beer volume annually and 2012 estimated revenues of $47 billion. Its operations would span 24 countries with enhanced opportunities for 150,000 employees across the globe.
"Grupo Modelo has been one of our most important partners for more than 20 years and we are very pleased to evolve our long and successful relationship into this combination," says Carlos Brito, chief executive officer of Anheuser-Busch InBev. "There is tremendous opportunity from combining two leading brand portfolios and further expanding Grupo Modelo's brands worldwide through AB InBev's extensive global distribution network. Our admiration for Grupo Modelo's business and brands has only increased with time and we look forward to joining our historic and world-class breweries. We also recognize and appreciate the critical role that Grupo Modelo's shareholders and management have played in the company's longstanding success within Mexico and internationally and look forward to their continued contributions."
"We have worked together with Anheuser-Busch InBev in a productive decades-long partnership, and it is time to cement our relationship through this merger," says Carlos Fernandez, chairman and chief executive officer of Grupo Modelo. "Together we will be the leading global brewer with top brands around the world and positions in some of the fastest growing countries. This is an exciting transaction that will bring our brands and proud heritage to even more consumers internationally while offering an increasing number of AB InBev's brands in Mexico. Grupo Modelo's Board believes that this combination will deliver significant benefits for all stakeholders."
The combination would create a significant growth opportunity worldwide from combining two leading brand portfolios and distribution networks. It would bring together five of the top six and seven of the top ten most valuable beer brands in the world, each with distinct brand imagery and consumer positioning. The combined company would unite Grupo Modelo's number one position in the world's fourth largest profit pool with AB InBev's leading global position, further increasing AB InBev's exposure to fast-growing developing markets.
Building on its rich tradition and unique brand positioning, Corona would become a global flagship brand alongside Budweiser and join global brands Stella Artois and Beck's. There will be meaningful opportunities to grow Corona globally outside the U.S. and Mexico, given AB InBev's established platform for distribution worldwide and the resources at its disposal as the leading global brewer.
The combination would bring together significant industry expertise and complementary geographic experience. Grupo Modelo has successfully imported and distributed Budweiser and Bud Light in Mexico for more than twenty years and has a strong track record as a leader in Mexico. The company has also developed Corona into the leading import beer in 38 countries around the world and successfully markets the brand in more than 180 countries.
Grupo Modelo's Name and Headquarters in Mexico City to Remain
Grupo Modelo's name, identity, heritage and headquarters in Mexico City will be maintained, and the company will continue to have a local board.
Carlos Fernandez, Maria Asuncion Aramburuzabala and Valentin Diez Morodo will continue to play an important role on Grupo Modelo's Board of Directors and AB InBev will seek the board's insights and expertise. Two Grupo Modelo board members will join AB InBev's Board of Directors, and they have committed, only upon tender of their shares, to invest USD 1.5 billion of their proceeds from the tender offer into shares of AB InBev to be delivered within five years via a deferred share instrument.
Consumers in Mexico would benefit from the increased choice offered by AB InBev's extensive portfolio. AB InBev will ensure that the integrity and quality of Grupo Modelo's brands are preserved, respecting the great traditions that AB InBev has experienced firsthand over the years.
AB InBev believes that Mexico is an attractive market in which to invest with solid macroeconomic fundamentals and a favorable demographic profile. Mexico is the second largest economy in Latin America and has one of the highest per capita GDPs within developing markets. Beer is the largest alcohol beverage subcategory in the country with 70 percent of value share, representing about $22 billion in retail sales in 2011. A growing middle class, rising urbanization rates and increased consumer spending due to higher disposable incomes are expected to drive category growth. Mexico's economy recorded 4.6 percent GDP growth in the first quarter of 2012, and strong performance is expected to continue in the long term, driving private consumption.
The existing partnership between AB InBev and Grupo Modelo, which dates back to 1993, is being enhanced through a series of transactions that will simplify and streamline the corporate structure of Grupo Modelo. As part of these transactions, Diblo, S.A. de C.V., the holding company for Grupo Modelo's operating subsidiaries, and Direccion de Fabricas (DIFA), S.A. de C.V., a leading glass bottle manufacturer in Mexico with output largely dedicated to Grupo Modelo, will merge into parent Grupo Modelo for newly issued Grupo Modelo shares. Immediately after the mergers of Diblo and DIFA, AB InBev will commence an all-cash tender offer for all of the outstanding shares of Grupo Modelo that it will not own at that time for a total consideration of $20.1 billion or $9.15 per share. Both companies' Boards of Directors have approved the transaction.
Visit www.ab-inbev.com for more details about this transcation.