InBev moves on Budweiser owner with $47bn offer

Published: 23 July, 2008

InBev has confirmed recent industry speculation and made an unsolicited offer for Anheuser-Busch.

The $47 billion (23.9bn) offer values the Budweiser manufacturer at $65 per share and represents a 35% premium to Anheuser's-Busch's unaffected share price.

Carlos Brito, InBev CEO, commented on the offer, which would create the world's largest global brewer.

He said: "We have the highest respect for Anheuser-Busch, its employees and its leadership, who have built the leading brewer in the US and grown the iconic Budweiser brand.

"Together, we would draw on the collective expertise of both companies' management and employees. We also recognise the great contribution of Anheuser-Busch's wholesalers to the company's success and would work closely with them, under the three-tier system, to create even greater excitement in the marketplace around the brands of both companies.

"The combination will create a stronger, more competitive, sustainable global company which will benefit all stakeholders."

InBev's proposal revealed it envisages making its St. Louis HQ in Missouri the global home of the merged brand.

The company would invite a number of Anheuser-Busch's directors to join the board while it would incorporate a new name to reflect "the strong history of Anheuser-Busch's key bands".

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