Latin America: Quilmes Industrial (Quinsa) registered 7.1% beer volumes increase in Q1 2005
Quilmes Industrial (Quinsa) S.A. announced on April 26 its overall beer volumes for the first quarter 2005 increased by 7.1% to 4.76 million hl compared to 4.45 million hl in Q1 2004. During the first three months of the year Quinsa sold 3.35 million hl of beer in Argentina (+5.7% versus Q1 2004); 527,000 hl in Bolivia (+5.2%); 127,000 hl in Chile (+18.7%); 587,000 hl in Paraguay (+10.8%) and 203,000 hl in Uruguay (+25.3%).
Quinsa is a Luxembourg-based holding company that controls 87.6% of Quilmes International (Bermuda) ("QIB"). The remaining 12.4 % stake is held by Beverage Associates (BAC) Corp. ("BAC") and by Companhia de Bebidas das Americas -- AmBev ("AmBev").
Quinsa, through QIB, controls beverage and malting businesses in five Latin American countries. Its beer brands are strong market leaders in Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay and have a presence in Chile. Further, pursuant to the Company's strategic alliance with AmBev, it has entered into license and distribution agreements to produce and sell the AmBev brands in Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay. Similarly, under the agreements, AmBev may produce and distribute Quinsa's brands in Brazil.
The Company also has bottling and franchise agreements with PepsiCo, and thus accounts for 100% of PepsiCo beverage sales in Uruguay and more than 80% of PepsiCo beverage sales in Argentina.
Quinsa's Class A and Class B shares are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. Quinsa's American Depository Shares, representing the Company's Class B shares, are listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
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