USA: Glen Walter named President of Labatt USA

InBev named Glen Walter president of Labatt USA, which will return to its roots as America’s Specialty Beer Company, TransWorldNews reported January 29.

Walter will lead the new Labatt USA organization, which will focus on selling and marketing all Labatt brands and Brahma in the U.S. following the recently announced agreement with Anheuser-Busch for the sales and distribution of InBev’s European brands in the U.S. The announcement was made by Miguel Patricio, president of InBev North America.

Walter, a longtime InBev USA and Labatt USA veteran, will move from vice president of InBev USA’s Atlantic Division to president of the new Labatt USA effective January 1, 2007. Doug Corbett, current president of InBev USA, will move to a newly created position within InBev as president of InBev International. InBev International will be charged with managing the sales and distribution agreement with Anheuser-Busch in the U.S.

Headquartered in Buffalo, NY, Labatt USA will be responsible for importing and marketing Labatt Blue™, Labatt Blue Light™, Kokanee™ and other Canadian brands in the U.S. as well as importing and marketing Brahma beer from Brazil, the latest entry into the InBev portfolio of brands in the U.S.

“Marketing and selling the number one Canadian brands in the U.S. and Brahma ourselves is the best way to grow these brands,” said Patricio. “These will be the priority for Labatt USA. With Glen’s leadership and vision, we’re confident that the U.S. organization will grow the Labatt family of brands as well as Kokanee and continue to build the Brahma business in the U.S.”

Walter joined the InBev organization in 2002 as the director of wholesaler network development for Labatt USA. Throughout his career with the organization, he has held positions with increasing responsibilities. Most recently, Walter was vice president of sales for the Atlantic division of InBev USA. Prior to joining InBev, Walter held senior sales positions with Pearce Beverage Company and Ernest and Julio Gallo Winery.

As of February 1, 2007 Anheuser-Busch will take over the import and marketing rights to the InBev’s European portfolio in the U.S. including Stella Artois™, Leffe, Hoegaarden™, Beck’s™ and Beck’s Premier Light™ as well as Bass Pale Ale™.

Labatt USA a division of InBev, the world’s leading global brewer by volume, will import and market in the U.S.; Brazil’s Brahma, the 6th largest beer brand in the world; and Labatt Blue and Labatt Blue Light, the No. 1 Canadian beers in the U.S. InBev employs over 85,000 people, running operations in over 30 countries across the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific.

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