(Reuters) – Big beverage firms are expanding their reach into Asian markets to gain exposure to a growing class of wealthy and brand-conscious consumers.
For a related ANALYSIS on Southeast Asia’s fast-growing drinks sector: [ID:nSGE67T03C]
Here are some recent moves by major firms:
FRASER & NEAVE (FRNM.SI)
The beverage and property conglomerate said in late August it has agreed to buy a 23.08 stake in Malaysia’s Cocoaland Holdings Berhad (CCLD.KL) for $17.40 million to expand its food business.
KIRIN HOLDINGS (2503.T)
The Japanese brewer said in July it will buy a 14.7 percent stake in beverage and property conglomerate Fraser & Neave (FRNM.SI) for $953 million. [ID:nSGE66P0DT]
Kirin already owns a 48 percent stake in San Miguel Brewery (SMB.PS), the beer arm of southeast Asia’s biggest food and drinks group San Miguel Corp (SMC.PS)(SMCB.PS).
PEPSICO INC (PEP.N)
Pepsi said on Aug. 16 it plans to invest $250 million on a variety of projects in Vietnam over the next three years as it looks for more growth in emerging markets. [ID:nN16257348]
Pepsi and partner Strategic Beverages (Thailand) in June cancelled a tender to buy all the shares in Thai Bottler Serm Suk SSC.BK after failing to get the minimum specified in their bid. The outcome of the tender offer did not affect PepsiCo’s long-term commitment to Thailand, the companies said. [ID:nSGE65a02K]
ASAHI BREWERIES (2502.T)
Japan’s Asahi Breweries said on Aug.26 it will buy Australian fruit juice maker P&N Beverages for A$364 million. [ID:nTOE67P05Y]
Asahi president said on Aug.3 the company expects to have $9.2 billion for acquisitions over the next five years, with a focus on Asia and Oceania. [ID:nTOE67107L]
COCA-COLA (KO.N)
The world’s No.1 soft drinks company in March announced the construction of a bottling plant in Malaysia. The plant is the first step in Coca-Cola’s plan to invest $285 million in Malaysia over five years, the company said.
In September 2009, Coca-Cola said it would invest more than $200 million in Vietnam over three years. [ID:nHAN411583]
SAPPORO HOLDINGS (2501.T)
Japan’s Sapporo Holdings said in December it would enter the Vietnamese market by taking a 65 percent stake in a beer joint venture with Vietnam National Tobacco Corp. [ID:nTOE5B90A2] (Reporting by James Topham in Tokyo and Dhara Ranasinghe in Singapore; Editing by Valerie Lee)
