New Zealand: DB Brewery applied for clearance to acquire the local business of Independent Liquor

DB Breweries Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Asia Pacific Breweries Limited (“APB”), has applied to the New Zealand Overseas Investment Office ("OIO”) for clearance to evaluate the potential to acquire the New Zealand business of Independent Liquor (NZ) Ltd, the company released October 31. At this preliminary juncture, DB Brewery is still investigating this venture, which may or may not lead to an acquisition. The application to the OIO is just one part of the process.

As part of its growth strategy, APB is constantly monitoring the Asia Pacific region for equity investments. Both strategic acquisitions as well as organic growth are cornerstones of this strategy that is propelling APB in its second wave of expansion.

Listed on the Singapore Exchange, Asia Pacific Breweries Limited (APB) is one of the key players in the beer industry. A joint venture between the Fraser and Neave Group of companies and Heineken of Holland, APB was established as Malayan Breweries Limited (MBL) in 1931. It went on to open its first brewery in Singapore and launched the award-winning Tiger Beer a year later.

To more accurately reflect the growing regionalisation of its business interests, MBL was renamed Asia Pacific Breweries Limited in 1990. Today, APB oversees a portfolio of over 40 beer brands and brand variants, including Tiger Beer, Heineken, Anchor and ABC Stout. The group operates an extensive global marketing network, which spreads across 60 countries and is currently supported by 28 breweries in ten countries including Singapore, Cambodia, China, India, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam. With its recent joint ventures in India, Laos and Mongolia, APB’s brewery count is expected to increase by another 3 in 2007.

DB Breweries operates four breweries and 14 sales and administration offices around New Zealand.